Composition and method for treating plants with exogenous chemicals

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions are disclosed wherein exogenous chemicals are applied to plants to generate a desired biological response. One embodiment of the present invention is a plant treatment composition that comprises (a) an exogenous chemical; (b) a first excipient substance which is a compound or mixture of compounds having the formula 
     
         R.sup.14 --CO--A--R.sup.15 
    
     wherein R 14  is a hydrocarbyl group having about 5 to about 21 carbon atoms, R 15  is a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, the total number of carbon atoms in R 14  and R 15  is about 11 to about 27, and A is O or NH; and (c) a second excipient substance which is an amphiphilic substance having a critical packing parameter greater than 1/3.

This application claims the benefit of provisional application serial No. 60/029,317, filed Oct. 25, 1996; provisional application serial No. 60/034,887, filed Jan. 31, 1997; and provisional application serial No. 60/039,789, filed Mar. 4, 1997. Each of those applications is incorporated here by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to formulations and methods for enhancing the efficacy of exogenous chemicals used in treating plants. An exogenous chemical, as defined herein, is any chemical substance, whether naturally or synthetically derived, which (a) has biological activity or is capable of releasing in a plant an ion, moiety or derivative which has biological activity, and (b) is applied to a plant with the intent or result that the chemical substance or its biologically active ion, moiety or derivative enter living cells or tissues of the plant and elicit a stimulatory, inhibitory, regulatory, therapeutic, toxic or lethal response in the plant itself or in a pathogen, parasite or feeding organism present in or on the plant. Examples of exogenous chemical substances include, but are not limited to, chemical pesticides (such as herbicides, algicides, fungicides, bactericides, viricides, insecticides, aphicides, miticides, nematicides, molluscicides, and the like), plant growth regulators, fertilizers and nutrients, gametocides, defoliants, desiccants, mixtures thereof, and the like.

Exogenous chemicals, including foliar-applied herbicides, have at times been formulated with surfactants, so that when water is added, the resulting sprayable composition is more easily and effectively retained on the foliage (e.g., the leaves or other photosynthesizing organs) of plants. Surfactants can also bring other benefits, including improved contact of spray droplets with a waxy leaf surface and, in some cases, improved penetration of the accompanying exogenous chemical into the interior of leaves. Through these and perhaps other effects, surfactants have long been known to increase the biological effectiveness of herbicide compositions, or other compositions of exogenous chemicals, when added to or included in such compositions. Thus, for example, the herbicide glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine) has been formulated with surfactants such as polyoxyalkylene-type surfactants including, among other surfactants, polyoxyalkylene alkylamines. Commercial formulations of glyphosate herbicide marketed under the trademark ROUNDUP® have been formulated with a surfactant composition based on such a polyoxyalkylene alkylamine, in particular a polyethoxylated tallowamine, this surfactant composition being identified as MON 0818. Surfactants have generally been combined with glyphosate or other exogenous chemicals either in a commercial concentrate (herein referred to as a "coformulation"), or in a diluted mixture that is prepared from separate compositions, one comprising an exogenous chemical (e.g. glyphosate) and another comprising surfactant, prior to use in the field (i.e., a tank mix).

Various combinations of exogenous chemicals and surfactants or other adjuvants have been tested in the past. In some instances, the addition of a particular surfactant has not produced uniformly positive or negative changes in the effect of the exogenous chemical on the plant (e.g., a surfactant that may enhance the activity of a particular herbicide on certain weeds may interfere with, or antagonize, the herbicidal efficacy on another weed species).

Some surfactants tend to degrade fairly rapidly in aqueous solutions. As a result, surfactants that exhibit this property can only be used effectively in tank mixes (i.e., mixed with the other ingredients in solution or dispersion in the tank soon before spraying is to occur), rather than being coformulated in an aqueous composition with the other ingredients in the first instance. This lack of stability, or inadequate shelf-life, has hindered the use of certain surfactants in some exogenous chemical formulations.

Other surfactants, though chemically stable, are physically incompatible with certain exogenous chemicals, particularly in concentrate coformulations. For example, most classes of nonionic surfactant, including polyoxyethylene alkylether surfactants, do not tolerate solutions of high ionic strength, as for example in a concentrated aqueous solution of a salt of glyphosate. Physical incompatibility can also lead to inadequate shelf-life. Other problems that can arise from such incompatibility include the formation of aggregates large enough to interfere with commercial handling and application, for example by blocking spray nozzles.

Another problem that has been observed in the past is the effect of environmental conditions on uptake of an exogenous chemical composition into foliage of a plant. For example, conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, presence or absence of sunlight, and health of the plant to be treated, can affect the uptake of a herbicide into the plant. As a result, spraying exactly the same herbicidal composition in two different situations can result in different herbicidal control of the sprayed plants.

One consequence of the above-described variability is that often a higher rate of herbicide per unit area is applied than might actually be required in that situation, in order to be certain that adequate control of undesired plants will be achieved. For similar reasons, other foliar-applied exogenous chemicals are also typically applied at significantly higher rates than needed to give the desired biological effect in the particular situation where they are used, to allow for the natural variability that exists in efficiency of foliar uptake. A need therefore exists for compositions of exogenous chemicals that, through more efficient uptake into plant foliage, allow reduced use rates.

Many exogenous chemicals are commercially packaged as a liquid concentrate that contains a significant amount of water. The packaged concentrate is shipped to distributors or retailers. Ultimately the packaged concentrate ends up in the hands of an end user, who further dilutes the concentrate by adding water in accordance with label instructions on the package. The dilute composition thus prepared is then sprayed on plants.

A significant portion of the cost of such packaged concentrates is the cost of transporting the concentrate from the manufacturing site to the location where the end user purchases it. Any liquid concentrate formulation that contained relatively less water and thus more exogenous chemical would reduce the cost per unit amount of exogenous chemical. However, one important limit on the ability of the manufacturer to increase the loading of the exogenous chemical in the concentrate is the stability of that formulation. With some combinations of ingredients, a limit will be reached at which any further reduction of water content in the concentrate will cause it to become unstable (e.g., to separate into discrete layers), which may make it commercially unacceptable.

Accordingly, a need exists for improved formulations of exogenous chemicals, particularly herbicides, that are stable, effective, less sensitive to environmental conditions, and permit the use of reduced amounts of exogenous chemical to achieve the desired biological effect in or on plants. A need also exists for stable liquid concentrate formulations of exogenous chemicals that contain less water and more exogenous chemical than prior art concentrates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions wherein exogenous chemicals are applied to plants to generate a desired biological response.

One embodiment of the present invention is a plant treatment composition that comprises (a) an exogenous chemical; (b) a first excipient substance which is a compound or mixture of compounds having the formula

    R.sup.14 --CO--A--R.sup.15                                 VII

wherein R¹⁴ is a hydrocarbyl group having about 5 to about 21 carbon atoms, R¹⁵ is a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, the total number of carbon atoms in R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ is about 11 to about 27, and A is O or NH; and (c) a second excipient substance which is an amphiphilic substance having a critical packing parameter greater than 1/3. "Amphiphilic" means having at least one polar, water-soluble head group which is hydrophilic and at least one water-insoluble organic tail which is hydrophobic, contained within the same molecule. An "excipient substance" as that term is used in this patent is any substance other than an exogenous chemical and water that is added to the composition. "Excipient substances" include inert ingredients, although an excipient substance useful in the present invention does not have to be devoid of biological activity.

In one preferred embodiment, the weight/weight ratio of second excipient substance to the exogenous chemical is from about 1:3 to about 1:100. It is particularly preferred that the weight/weight ratio of first excipient substance to the exogenous chemical is also from about 1:3 to about 1:100. In another embodiment, R¹⁴ is saturated in from about 40 to 100 percent by weight of all compounds having the stated formula present in the composition. R¹⁴ preferably has about 11 to about 21 carbon atoms, R¹⁵ preferably has 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and A is preferably O.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the first excipient substance is a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester of a C₁₂₋₁₈ fatty acid, more preferably a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester of a C₁₂₋₁₈ saturated fatty acid. Propyl, isopropyl or butyl esters of C₁₂₋₁₈ fatty acids, such as butyl stearate, are especially preferred.

A wide variety of exogenous chemicals can be used in the compositions and methods of the present invention. A preferred class is foliar-applied exogenous chemicals, i.e. exogenous chemicals that are normally applied post-emergence to foliage of plants. A preferred subclass of foliar-applied exogenous chemicals is those that are water-soluble. By "water-soluble" in this context is meant having a solubility in distilled water at 25° C. greater than about 1% by weight. Especially preferred water-soluble exogenous chemicals are salts that have an anion portion and a cation portion. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the anion and cation portions is biologically active and has a molecular weight of less than about 300. Particular examples of such exogenous chemicals where the cation portion is biologically active are paraquat, diquat and chlormequat. More commonly it is the anion portion that is biologically active.

Another preferred subclass of exogenous chemicals is those that exhibit systemic biological activity in the plant. Within this subclass, an especially preferred group of exogenous chemicals is N-phosphonomethylglycine and its herbicidal derivatives. N-phosphonomethylglycine, often referred to by its common name glyphosate, can be used in its acid form, but is more preferably used in the form of a salt. Any water-soluble salt of glyphosate can be used in the practice of this invention. Some preferred salts include the sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-C₁₋₄ -alkylammonium, mono-, di- and tri-C₁₋₄ -alkanolammonium, mono-, di- and tri-C₁₋₄ -alkylsulfonium and sulfoxonium salts. The ammonium, monoisopropylammonium and trimethylsulfonium salts of glyphosate are especially preferred. Mixtures of salts can also be useful in certain situations.

Compositions of the present invention can be used in methods of treating plants. Foliage of a plant is contacted with a biologically effective amount of the composition. "Contacting" in this context means placing the composition on the foliage.

A composition of the present invention comprising an exogenous chemical and a first excipient substance as described above can have a number of different physical forms. For example, the composition can further comprise water in an amount effective to make the composition a dilute aqueous composition ready for application to foliage of a plant. Such a composition typically contains about 0.02 to about 2 percent by weight of the exogenous chemical, but for some purposes can contain up to about 10 percent by weight or even more of the exogenous chemical.

Alternatively, the composition can be a shelf-stable concentrate composition comprising the exogenous chemical substance in an amount of about 10 to about 90 percent by weight. Such shelf-stable concentrates can be, for example, (1) a solid composition comprising the exogenous chemical substance in an amount of about 30 to about 90 percent by weight, such as a water-soluble or water-dispersible granular formulation, or (2) a composition that further comprises a liquid diluent, wherein the composition comprises the exogenous chemical substance in an amount of about 10 to about 60 percent by weight. In this latter embodiment, it is especially preferred for the exogenous chemical substance to be water-soluble and present in an aqueous phase of the composition in an amount of about 15 to about 45 percent by weight of the composition. In this embodiment the first excipient substance is present predominantly in an oil phase of the composition, such composition typically being in the form of an emulsion, which can more specifically be, for example, an oil-in-water emulsion, a water-in-oil emulsion, or a water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the solid or aqueous composition further comprises a solid inorganic particulate colloidal material.

As described above, one embodiment of the invention is a sprayable composition that comprises an exogenous chemical, an aqueous diluent, and a first excipient substance. The term "spray composition" is sometimes used herein to mean a sprayable composition.

In a related embodiment of the invention, a concentrate composition is provided which, upon dilution, dispersion or dissolution in water forms the sprayable composition just described. The concentrate composition contains a reduced amount of the aqueous diluent, or, in a particular embodiment, is a dry composition having less than about 5% water by weight. Typically a concentrate composition of the invention contains at least about 10% by weight of the exogenous chemical, preferably at least about 15%.

An alternative embodiment is a composition that does not itself comprise an exogenous chemical, but is intended for application to a plant in conjunction with or as a carrier for the application of an exogenous chemical. This composition comprises a first excipient substance and a second excipient substance as described above. Such a composition may be sprayable, in which case it also comprises an aqueous diluent, or it may be a concentrate, requiring dilution, dispersion or dissolution in water to provide a sprayable composition. Thus, this embodiment of the invention can be provided as a stand-alone product and applied to a plant, diluted as appropriate with water, simultaneously with the application of an exogenous chemical (for example in tank mix with the exogenous chemical), or before or after the application of the exogenous chemical, preferably within about 96 hours before or after application of the exogenous chemical.

In all embodiments, it is believed that the second excipient substance forms supramolecular aggregates in aqueous solution or dispersion. In particular it is believed that aqueous compositions of the present invention form aggregates in aqueous solution or dispersion the majority of which are not simple micelles. "Majority" means that more than 50% by weight of the second excipient substance present is in the form of complex aggregates other than simple micelles, e.g. as bilayers or multilamellar structures. Preferably, more than 75% by weight is in the form of complex aggregates other than simple micelles.

Whether or not an amphiphilic substance forms such aggregates depends on its molecular architecture. The effects of molecular architecture of supramolecular self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules, as set forth for example by J. N. Israelachvili, D. J. Mitchell and B. W. Ninham in Faraday Transactions II, Volume 72, pp. 1525-1568 (1976) and in numerous later articles and monographs, are well known and understood. An important aspect is "critical packing parameter" (P) which is defined in the literature by the following equation:

    P=V/lA

where V is the volume of the hydrophobic tail of the molecule, l is the effective length of the hydrophobic tail, and A is the area occupied by the hydrophilic headgroup. These dimensions can be calculated from physical measurements as described in the literature and have been published for numerous amphiphilic compounds.

Amphiphilic substances useful as the second excipient substance herein have a critical packing parameter greater than 1/3. The second excipient substance forms aggregates in aqueous solution or dispersion which preferably have at least one dimension that is greater than two times the molecular length of the second excipient substance.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second excipient substance is a liposome-forming material. One class of liposome-forming material is an amphiphilic compound or mixture of such compounds, preferably having two hydrophobic moieties, each of which is a saturated alkyl or acyl chain having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. The amphiphilic compound or mixture of such compounds having said two hydrophobic moieties with about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms preferably constitutes from about 40 to 100 percent by weight of all amphiphilic compounds having two hydrophobic moieties present in the liposome-forming material. Preferably the liposome-forming material has a hydrophilic head group comprising a cationic group. More preferably, the cationic group is an amine or ammonium group.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second excipient substance comprises a liposome-forming compound having a hydrophobic moiety comprising two independently saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl groups R¹ and R² each independently having about 7 to about 21 carbon atoms. A number of subclasses of such liposome-forming compounds are known.

One subclass has the formula

    N.sup.+ (CH.sub.2 R.sup.1)(CH.sub.2 R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)Z.sup.-I

wherein R³ and R⁴ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ hydroxyalkyl and Z is a suitable agriculturally acceptable anion.

A second subclass has the formula

    N.sup.+ (R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)(R.sup.7)CH.sub.2 CH(OCH.sub.2 R.sup.1)CH.sub.2 (OCH.sub.2 R.sup.2)Z.sup.-                                II

wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ hydroxyalkyl and Z is a suitable anion.

A third subclass has the formula

    N.sup.+ (R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)(R.sup.7)CH.sub.2 CH(OCOR.sup.1)CH.sub.2 (OCOR.sup.2)Z.sup.-                                       III

wherein R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and Z are as defined above.

A fourth subclass has the formula

    N.sup.+ (R.sup.5)(R.sup.6)(R.sup.7)CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OPO(O.sup.-)OCH.sub.2 CH(OCOR.sup.1)CH.sub.2 (OCOR.sup.2)                       IV

wherein R⁵, R⁶, and R⁷ are as defined above.

Compounds of formulas I-IV will have the indicated formulas in an acid medium, for example at a pH of 4 and may have the same formulas at other pH's as well. It should be understood, however, that compositions of the present invention are not limited to use at a pH of 4.

It is preferred that about 40-100 percent of the R¹ and R² groups in the second excipient substance are saturated straight chain alkyl groups having about 7 to about 21 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable agriculturally acceptable anions Z include hydroxide, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, phosphate and acetate.

In all of the above subclasses of liposome-forming substances, the hydrophilic moiety comprises a cationic group, specifically an amine or ammonium group. The compound as a whole is in some cases cationic (as in I, II and III) and in some cases neutral (as in IV). Where the amine group is quaternary, it behaves as a cationic group independently of pH. Where the amine group is secondary or tertiary, it behaves as a cationic group when protonated, i.e. in an acid medium, for example at a pH of 4.

Other subclasses of liposome-forming substances having two hydrophobic chains each comprising a C₇₋₂₁ hydrocarbyl group can also be used as the second excipient substance in compositions of the invention. While substances having a cationic group in the hydrophilic moiety are preferred, nonionic or anionic substances can be used if desired.

In another embodiment, the second excipient substance is a phospholipid selected from the group consisting of di-C₈₋₂₂ -alkanoylphosphatidylcholines and di-C₈₋₂₂ -alkanoylphosphatidylethanolamines. In a particular preferred embodiment, the first excipient substance is a dipalmitoyl or distearoyl ester of phosphatidylcholine or a mixture thereof.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second excipient substance is an alkylether surfactant or mixture of such surfactants having the formula

    R.sup.12 --O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n (CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O).sub.m --R.sup.13                                                VI

wherein R¹² is an alkyl or alkenyl group having about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, n is an average number of about 10 to about 100, m is an average number of 0 to about 5 and R¹³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl. The term "alkylether" as used herein should be understood to include alkenylether surfactants. Preferably R¹² is a saturated straight-chain alkyl group, R¹³ is hydrogen, m is 0 and n is from about 10 to about 40, more preferably from about 20 to about 40. Most preferably the alkylether surfactant is a polyoxyethylene cetyl or stearyl ether or mixture thereof having 20-40 moles of ethylene oxide (EO).

Aqueous compositions of the present invention can comprise supramolecular aggregates formed from the first and/or second excipient substances. In one preferred embodiment, the second excipient substance is a vesicle-forming amphiphilic substance, such as a vesicle-forming lipid, and when the substance is dispersed in water the majority (greater than 50% by weight, preferably greater than 75% by weight) of the second excipient substance is present as vesicles or liposomes. In another preferred embodiment the second excipient substance is present as bilayers or multilamellar structures which are not organized as vesicles or liposomes. Compositions of the present invention can also include, without limitation, colloidal systems such as emulsions (water/oil, oil/water, or multiple, e.g., water/oil/water), foams, microemulsions, and suspensions or dispersions of microparticulates, nanoparticulates, or microcapsules. Compositions of the invention can include more than one type of aggregate or colloidal system; examples include liposomes or vesicles dispersed in a microemulsion, and compositions having characteristics of both emulsions and suspensions, e.g. suspo-emulsions. The present invention also encompasses any formulation, which may or may not contain a significant amount of water, that on dilution in an aqueous medium forms such colloidal systems, and/or systems comprising vesicles, liposomes, bilayers or multilamellar structures, so long as the other requirements stipulated herein are met.

The weight ratio of each of the first and second excipient substances to the exogenous chemical preferably is between about 1:3 and about 1:100. We have been surprised by the high level of biological effectiveness, specifically herbicidal effectiveness of a glyphosate composition, exhibited at such low ratios of such excipient substances to exogenous chemical. Higher ratios can also be effective but are likely to be uneconomic in most situations and increase the risk of producing an antagonistic effect on effectiveness of the exogenous chemical.

It is surprising that the enhancement of biological activity that has been observed when using the present invention can be achieved with the addition of relatively small amounts of such excipient substances.

In any of the above particular embodiments, the exogenous chemical and/or first excipient substance can be encapsulated within or associated with aggregates (e.g., liposomes) formed by the second excipient substance, but do not necessarily have to be encapsulated or associated. "Associated" in this context means bound to or at least partly intercalated in some fashion in a vesicle wall, as opposed to being encapsulated. In yet another embodiment of the invention where the second excipient substance forms liposomes, the exogenous chemical and/or first excipient substance is not encapsulated in or associated with the liposomes at all. Although the present invention does not exclude the possibility of so encapsulating or associating the exogenous chemical, a presently preferred dilute sprayable liposomal composition encapsulates less than 5% by weight of the exogenous chemical that is present in the overall composition. Another dilute sprayable liposomal embodiment of the present invention has no substantial amount (i.e., less than 1% by weight) of the exogenous chemical encapsulated in the liposomes. As a droplet of such a liposomal composition dries on foliage of a plant, the proportion of the exogenous chemical that is encapsulated in the liposomes may change.

The compositions and methods of the present invention have a number of advantages. They provide enhanced biological activity of exogenous chemicals in or on plants in comparison with prior formulations, either in terms of greater ultimate biological effect, or obtaining an equivalent biological effect while using a reduced application rate of exogenous chemical. Certain herbicide formulations of the present invention can avoid antagonism that has been observed in some prior art herbicide formulations, and can minimize quick production of necrotic lesions on leaves that in some situations hinder overall translocation of herbicide in the plant. Certain herbicide compositions of the invention modify the spectrum of activity of the herbicide across a range of plant species. For example, certain formulations of the present invention containing glyphosate can provide good herbicidal activity against broadleaf weeds while not losing any herbicidal effectiveness on narrowleaf weeds. Others can enhance herbicidal effectiveness on narrowleaf weeds to a greater extent than on broadleaf weeds. Still others can have enhanced effectiveness which is specific to a narrow range of species or even a single species.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it employs relatively small amounts of the first and second excipient substances in relation to the amount of exogenous chemical employed. This makes the compositions and methods of the present invention relatively inexpensive, and also tends to reduce instability problems in specific compositions where one or both excipient substances are physically incompatible with the exogenous chemical (e.g., alkylether surfactants in solutions of high ionic strength, such as concentrated glyphosate salt solutions).

Even at the low concentrations of the excipient substances used in the present invention, there may be limits on the maximum concentration of exogenous chemical that can be used without causing compatibility problems (e.g., separation of the composition into discrete layers). In some preferred embodiments of the invention, composition stability at high loadings of exogenous chemical is maintained by adding other ingredients such as, for example, colloidal particulates. Some compositions of the present invention exhibit enhanced biological activity and have a higher loading of exogenous chemical than possible in prior art compositions.

Further, compositions of the present invention are less sensitive in some instances to environmental conditions such as relative humidity at the time of application to the plant. Also, the present invention allows the use of smaller amounts of herbicides or other pesticides, while still obtaining the required degree of control of weeds or other undesired organisms.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Examples of exogenous chemical substances that can be included in compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, chemical pesticides (such as herbicides, algicides, fungicides, bactericides, viricides, insecticides, aphicides, miticides, nematicides, molluscicides and the like), plant growth regulators, fertilizers and nutrients, gametocides, defoliants, desiccants, mixtures thereof and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, the exogenous chemical is polar.

A preferred group of exogenous chemicals are those that are normally applied post-emergence to the foliage of plants, i.e. foliar-applied exogenous chemicals.

Some exogenous chemicals useful in the present invention are water-soluble, for example salts that comprise biologically active ions, and also comprise counterions, which may be biologically inert or relatively inactive. A particularly preferred group of these water-soluble exogenous chemicals or their biologically active ions or moieties are systemic in plants, that is, they are to some extent translocated from the point of entry in the foliage to other parts of the plant where they can exert their desired biological effect. Especially preferred among these are herbicides, plant growth regulators and nematicides, particularly those that have a molecular weight, excluding counterions, of less than about 300. More especially preferred among these are exogenous chemical compounds having one or more functional groups selected from amine, carboxylate, phosphonate and phosphinate groups.

Among such compounds, an even more preferred group are herbicidal or plant growth regulating exogenous chemical compounds having at least one of each of amine, carboxylate, and either phosphonate or phosphinate functional groups. Salts of N-phosphonomethylglycine are examples of this group of exogenous chemicals. Further examples include salts of glufosinate, for instance the ammonium salt (ammonium DL-homoalanin-4-yl (methyl) phosphinate).

Another preferred group of exogenous chemicals which can be applied by the method of the invention are nematicides such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,680, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferred nematicides of this group are salts of 3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenoic acid or of N-(3,4,4-trifluoro-1-oxo-3-butenyl)glycine.

Exogenous chemicals which can usefully be applied by the method of the present invention are normally, but not exclusively, those which are expected to have a beneficial effect on the overall growth or yield of desired plants such as crops, or a deleterious or lethal effect on the growth of undesirable plants such as weeds. The method of the present invention is particularly useful for herbicides, especially those that are normally applied post-emergence to the foliage of unwanted vegetation.

Herbicides which can be applied by the method of the present invention include but are not limited to any listed in standard reference works such as the "Herbicide Handbook," Weed Science Society of America, 1994, 7th Edition, or the "Farm Chemicals Handbook," Meister Publishing Company, 1997 Edition. Illustratively these herbicides include acetanilides such as acetochlor, alachlor and metolachlor, aminotriazole, asulam, bentazon, bialaphos, bipyridyls such as paraquat, bromacil, cyclohexenones such as clethodim and sethoxydim, dicamba, diflufenican, dinitroanilines such as pendimethalin, diphenylethers such as acifluorfen, fomesafen and oxyfluorfen, fatty acids such as C₉₋₁₀ fatty acids, fosamine, flupoxam, glufosinate, glyphosate, hydroxybenzonitriles such as bromoxynil, imidazolinones such as imazaquin and imazethapyr, isoxaben, norflurazon, phenoxies such as 2,4-D, phenoxypropionates such as diclofop, fluazifop and quizalofop, picloram, propanil, substituted ureas such as fluometuron and isoproturon, sulfonylureas such as chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, halosulfaron, metsulfuron, primisulfuron, sulfometuron and sulfosulfuron, thiocarbamates such as triallate, triazines such as atrazine and metribuzin, and triclopyr. Herbicidally active derivatives of any known herbicide are also within the scope of the present invention. A herbicidally active derivative is any compound which is a minor structural modification, most commonly but not restrictively a salt or ester, of a known herbicide. These compounds retain the essential activity of the parent herbicide, but may not necessarily have a potency equal to that of the parent herbicide. These compounds may convert to the parent herbicide before or after they enter the treated plant. Mixtures or coformulations of a herbicide with other ingredients, or of more than one herbicide, may likewise be employed.

An especially preferred herbicide is N-phosphonomethylglycine (glyphosate), a salt, adduct or ester thereof, or a compound which is converted to glyphosate in plant tissues or which otherwise provides glyphosate ion. Glyphosate salts that can be used according to this invention include but are not restricted to alkali metal, for example sodium and potassium, salts; ammonium salt; alkylamine, for example dimethylamine and isopropylamine, salts; alkanolamine, for example ethanolamine, salts; alkylsulfonium, for example trimethylsulfonium, salts; sulfoxonium salts; and mixtures thereof. The herbicidal compositions sold by Monsanto Company as ROUNDUP® and ACCORD® contain the monoisopropylamine (IPA) salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine. The herbicidal compositions sold by Monsanto Company as ROUNDUP® Dry and RIVAL® contain the monoammonium salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine. The herbicidal composition sold by Monsanto Company as ROUNDUP® Geoforce contains the monosodium salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine. The herbicidal composition sold by Zeneca as TOUCHDOWN® contains the trimethylsulfonium salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine. The herbicidal properties of N-phosphonomethylglycine and its derivatives were first discovered by Franz, then disclosed and patented in U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,758, issued Mar. 26, 1974. A number of herbicidal salts of N-phosphonomethylglycine were patented by Franz in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,531, issued Sep. 20, 1983. The disclosures of both of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Because the commercially most important herbicidal derivatives of N-phosphonomethylglycine are certain salts thereof, the glyphosate compositions useful in the present invention will be described in more detail with respect to such salts. These salts are well known and include ammonium, IPA, alkali metal (such as the mono-, di-, and trisodium salts, and the mono-, di-, and tripotassium salts), and trimethylsulfonium salts. Salts of N-phosphonomethylglycine are commercially significant in part because they are water soluble. The salts listed immediately above are highly water soluble, thereby allowing for highly concentrated solutions that can be diluted at the site of use. In accordance with the method of this invention as it pertains to glyphosate herbicide, an aqueous solution containing a herbicidally effective amount of glyphosate and other components in accordance with the invention is applied to foliage of plants. Such an aqueous solution can be obtained by dilution of a concentrated glyphosate salt solution with water, or dissolution or dispersion in water of a dry (e.g. granular, powder, tablet or briquette) glyphosate formulation.

Exogenous chemicals should be applied to plants at a rate sufficient to give the desired biological effect. These application rates are usually expressed as amount of exogenous chemical per unit area treated, e.g. grams per hectare (g/ha). What constitutes a "desired effect" varies according to the standards and practice of those who investigate, develop, market and use a specific class of exogenous chemicals. For example, in the case of a herbicide, the amount applied per unit area to give 85% control of a plant species as measured by growth reduction or mortality is often used to define a commercially effective rate.

Herbicidal effectiveness is one of the biological effects that can be enhanced through this invention. "Herbicidal effectiveness," as used herein, refers to any observable measure of control of plant growth, which can include one or more of the actions of (1) killing, (2) inhibiting growth, reproduction or proliferation, and (3) removing, destroying, or otherwise diminishing the occurrence and activity of plants.

The herbicidal effectiveness data set forth herein report "inhibition" as a percentage following a standard procedure in the art which reflects a visual assessment of plant mortality and growth reduction by comparison with untreated plants, made by technicians specially trained to make and record such observations. In all cases, a single technician makes all assessments of percent inhibition within any one experiment or trial. Such measurements are relied upon and regularly reported by Monsanto Company in the course of its herbicide business.

The selection of application rates that are biologically effective for a specific exogenous chemical is within the skill of the ordinary agricultural scientist. Those of skill in the art will likewise recognize that individual plant conditions, weather and growing conditions, as well as the specific exogenous chemical and formulation thereof selected, will affect the efficacy achieved in practicing this invention. Useful application rates for exogenous chemicals employed can depend upon all of the above conditions. With respect to the use of the method of this invention for glyphosate herbicide, much information is known about appropriate application rates. Over two decades of glyphosate use and published studies relating to such use have provided abundant information from which a weed control practitioner can select glyphosate application rates that are herbicidally effective on particular species at particular growth stages in particular environmental conditions.

Herbicidal compositions of glyphosate or derivatives thereof are used to control a very wide variety of plants worldwide. Such compositions can be applied to a plant in a herbicidally effective amount, and can effectively control one or more plant species of one or more of the following genera without restriction: Abutilon, Amaranthus, Artemisia, Asclepias, Avena, Axonopus, Borreria, Brachiaria, Brassica, Bromus, Chenopodiun, Cirsium, Commelina, Convolvulus, Cynodon, Cyperus, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleusine, Elymus, Equisetum, Erodium, Helianthus, Imperata, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lolium, Malva, Oryza, Ottochloa, Panicum, Paspalum, Phalaris, Phragmites, Polygonum, Portulaca, Pteridium, Pueraria, Rubus, Salsola, Setaria, Sida, Sinapis, Sorghum, Triticum, Typha, Ulex, Xanthium, and Zea.

Particularly important species for which glyphosate compositions are used are exemplified without limitation by the following:

Annual broadleaves:

velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

pigweed (Amaranthus spp.)

buttonweed (Borreria spp.)

oilseed rape, canola, indian mustard, etc. (Brassica spp.)

commelina (Commelina spp.)

filaree (Erodium spp.)

sunflower (Helianthus spp.)

morningglory (Ipomoea spp.)

kochia (Kochia scoparia)

mallow (Malva spp.)

wild buckwheat, smartweed, etc. (Polygonum spp.)

purslane (Portulaca spp.)

russian thistle (Salsola spp.)

sida (Sida spp.)

wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis)

cocklebur (Xanthium spp.)

Annual narrowleaves:

wild oat (Avena fatua)

carpetgrass (Axonopus spp.)

downy brome (Bromus tectorum)

crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)

barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)

goosegrass (Eleusine indica)

annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

rice (Oryza sativa)

ottochloa (Ottochloa nodosa)

bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)

canarygrass (Phalaris spp.)

foxtail (Setaria spp.)

wheat (Triticum aestivum)

corn (Zea mays)

Perennial broadleaves:

mugwort (Artemisia spp.)

milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

kudzu (Pueraria spp.)

Perennial narrowleaves:

brachiaria (Brachiaria spp.)

bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)

yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)

purple nutsedge (C. rotundus)

quackgrass (Elymus repens)

lalang (Imperata cylindrica)

perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

guineagrass (Panicum maximum)

dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum)

reed (Phragmites spp.)

johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)

cattail (Typha spp.)

Other perennials:

horsetail (Equisetun spp.)

bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)

blackberry (Rubus spp.)

gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Thus, the method of the present invention, as it pertains to glyphosate herbicide, can be useful on any of the above species.

Effectiveness in greenhouse tests, usually at exogenous chemical rates lower than those normally effective in the field, is a proven indicator of consistency of field performance at normal use rates. However, even the most promising composition sometimes fails to exhibit enhanced performance in individual greenhouse tests. As illustrated in the Examples herein, a pattern of enhancement emerges over a series of greenhouse tests; when such a pattern is identified this is strong evidence of biological enhancement that will be useful in the field.

Compounds useful as the first excipient substance are amides or esters of formula VII above.

R¹⁴ in formula VII is preferably aliphatic and has about 7 to about 21 carbon atoms, more preferably about 13 to about 21 carbon atoms. It is especially preferred that R¹⁴ be a saturated straight-chain alkyl group. R¹⁵ is preferably an aliphatic group having 1-6 carbon atoms, more preferably alkyl or alkenyl having 2-4 carbon atoms. An especially preferred compound of formula VII for use as the first excipient substance is butyl stearate.

As compounds of formula VII, including butyl stearate, are generally oily liquids, aqueous compositions containing them are typically emulsions having at least one aqueous phase and at least one oil phase, with the compound of formula VII being present predominantly in the oil phase. Such emulsions may be water-in-oil, oil-in-water or water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions.

Compositions of the present invention comprise a second excipient substance which is one or more amphiphilic materials, of which two classes are preferred.

The first class of such second excipient substances can be defined as amphiphilic liposome-forming substances. These include various lipids of synthetic, animal, or plant origin, including phospholipids, ceramides, sphingolipids, dialkyl surfactants, and polymeric surfactants. A variety of these materials are known to those skilled in the art, and are commercially available. Lecithins are particularly rich in phospholipids and can be derived from a number of plant and animal sources. Soybean lecithin is one particular example of a relatively inexpensive commercially available material that includes such substances.

Many other substances have been described which can be used to form liposomes; the present invention includes compositions comprising any such liposome-forming substances, so long as other requirements set out above are met, and use of such compositions for enhancing biological effectiveness of exogenous chemicals applied to foliage of plants. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,859, incorporated here by reference, discloses liposome-forming substances having a cationic group, including N-(2,3-di-(9-(Z)-octadecenyloxy))-prop-1-yl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA) and 1,2-bis(oleoyloxy)-3-(trimethylammonio)propane (DOTAP). Liposome-forming substances which are not themselves cationic, but do contain a cationic group as part of the hydrophilic moiety, include for example dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Liposome-forming substances that do not contain a cationic group include dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG). Any of these liposome-forming substances can be used with or without the addition of cholesterol.

These substances contain portions that are hydrophilic and hydrophobic within the same molecule. They have the ability to self-assemble in aqueous solution or dispersion into structures that are more complex than simple micelles. The nature of the aggregate that will be formed can be related to the critical packing parameter P by the following equation:

    P=V/lA

where V is the volume of the hydrophobic tail of the molecule, l is the effective length of the hydrophobic tail, and A is the area occupied by the hydrophilic headgroup in the surface of the aggregate. The most probable self-assembled structures are spherical micelles when P is less than 1/3, rodlike micelles when P is between 1/3 and 1/2, lamellar when P is between 1 and 1/2, and inverse structures when P is greater than 1. The preferred materials in the present invention have P greater than 1/3.

Cationic liposome-forming substances having a hydrophobic moiety comprising two hydrocarbyl chains are accompanied by a counterion (anion), identified as Z in formulas I, II and III above. Any suitable anion can be used, including agriculturally acceptable anions such as hydroxide, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, phosphate and acetate. In a specific embodiment where the exogenous chemical has a biologically active anion, that anion can serve as the counterion for the liposome-forming substance. For example, glyphosate can be used in its acid form together with the hydroxide of a cationic liposome-forming substance such as a compound of formula I.

Compounds of formula I known in the art to be liposome-forming include distearyldimethylammonium chloride and bromide (also known in the art as DODAC and DODAB respectively). Compounds of formula II known in the art to be liposome-forming include DOTMA referenced above and dimyristooxypropyldimethylhydroxyethylammonium bromide (DMRIE). Compounds of formula III known in the art to be liposome-forming include dioleoyloxy-3-(dimethylammonio)propane (DODAP) and DOTAP referenced above. Compounds of formula IV known in the art to be liposome-forming include DOPC and DOPE, both referenced above.

In many liposome-forming substances known in the art, the hydrophobic hydrocarbyl chains are unsaturated, having one or more double bonds. Particularly commonly used in the pharmaceutical art are dioleyl or dioleoyl compounds. A potential problem with these is that in an oxidizing environment they become oxidized at the site of the double bond. This can be inhibited by including in the formulation an antioxidant such as ascorbic acid. Alternatively the problem can be avoided by use of liposome-forming substances wherein a high proportion of the hydrophobic hydrocarbyl chains are fully saturated. Thus in a preferred embodiment of the invention, R¹ and R² in formulas I-IV are independently saturated straight-chain alkyl groups. Particularly preferred compositions use liposome-forming substances in which R¹ and R² are both palmityl (cetyl) or palmitoyl or, alternatively, are both stearyl or stearoyl groups.

Phospholipids, because of their low cost and favorable environmental properties, are particularly favored among liposome-forming substances in the method and compositions of the invention. Vegetable lecithins, such as soybean lecithin, have successfully been used in accordance with the invention. The phospholipid content of the lecithin product can range from about 10% to close to 100%. While acceptable results have been obtained with crude lecithin (10-20% phospholipid), it is generally preferred to use lecithin that is at least partially de-oiled, so that the phospholipid content is in the region of about 45% or more. Higher grades, such as 95%, provide excellent results but the much higher cost is unlikely to be justified for most applications.

The phospholipid component of lecithin, or any phospholipid composition used in the present invention, may comprise one or more phosphatides of natural or synthetic origin. Each of these phosphatides is generally a phosphoric ester that on hydrolysis yields phosphoric acid, fatty acid(s), polyhydric alcohol and, typically, a nitrogenous base. A phosphatide component may be present in a partially hydrolyzed form, e.g. as phosphatidic acid. Suitable phosphatides include, without limitation, phosphatidylcholine, hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine, and mixtures of any of these.

In vegetable lecithins a high proportion of the hydrophobic hydrocarbyl chains of the phospholipid compounds are typically unsaturated. One preferred embodiment of compositions in accordance with the present invention comprises both saturated phospholipid and unsaturated phospholipid, with the weight ratio of saturated phospholipid to unsaturated phospholipid being greater than about 1:2. In various particularly preferred embodiments, (1) at least 50% by weight of the phospholipids are di-C₁₂₋₂₂ -saturated alkanoyl phospholipid, (2) at least 50% by weight of the phospholipids are di-C₁₆₋₁₈ -saturated alkanoyl phospholipid, (3) at least 50% by weight of the phospholipids are distearoyl phospholipid, (4) at least 50% by weight of the phospholipids are dipalmitoyl phospholipid, or (5) at least 50% by weight of the phospholipids are distearoyl phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, or a mixture thereof. Higher proportions of saturated alkanoyl phospholipids are generally found in lecithins of animal origin, such as for example egg yolk lecithin, than in vegetable lecithins.

Phospholipids are known to be chemically unstable, at least in acid media, where they tend to degrade to their lyso-counterparts. Thus where phospholipids rather than more stable liposome-forming substances are used, it is usually preferable to adjust the pH of the composition upward. In the case of glyphosate compositions, the pH of a composition based on a mono-salt such as the monoisopropylammonium (IPA) salt is typically around 5 or lower. When phospholipids are used as the first excipient substance in a glyphosate composition of the invention, it will therefore be preferable to raise the pH of the composition, for example to around 7. Any convenient base can be used for this purpose; it will often be most convenient to use the same base as used in the glyphosate salt, for example isopropylamine in the case of glyphosate IPA salt.

A second class of amphiphilic substance useful as the second excipient substance according to the present invention is a long-chain alkylether surfactant having the formula VI above. R¹² can be branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated. R¹² is preferably straight-chain saturated C₁₆ alkyl (cetyl) or straight-chain saturated C₁₆ alkyl (stearyl). In preferred alkylethers m is 0, n is an average number from about 20 to about 40 and R¹² is preferably hydrogen. Among especially preferred alkylether surfactants are those identified in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary as ceteth-20, ceteareth-20, ceteareth-27, steareth-20 and steareth-30.

Aqueous concentrate compositions in some circumstances are limited in the degree to which an exogenous chemical such as glyphosate can be loaded. At some point, as the loading of exogenous chemical is increased, the composition will not remain suitably stable. This is particularly true, for example, where the exogenous chemical is glyphosate and the second excipient substance is an alkylether surfactant of formula VI. Addition of a small amount of colloidal particulate to such compositions has surprisingly been found to greatly increase loading ability while retaining desired stability. Oxides of silicon, aluminum and titanium are preferred colloidal particulate materials. Particle size is preferably such that specific surface area is in the range from about 50 to about 400 m² /g. Where the exogenous chemical is glyphosate, the use of colloidal particulate enables loadings of at least 30% by weight for compositions containing sufficient alkylether and fatty acid ester to show enhanced herbicidal effectiveness, or at least 40% for compositions containing alkylether but no fatty acid ester, and showing herbicidal effectiveness at least equal to current commercial products loaded at about 30%. We have found especially useful improvement in storage stability can be obtained using colloidal particulates having specific surface area between about 180 and about 400 m² /g.

Other means of improving stability of highly loaded compositions may also be possible and are within the scope of the present invention.

Compositions in accordance with the present invention are typically prepared by combining water, the exogenous chemical (unless it is a formulation which will not contain an exogenous chemical) and the first and second excipient substances. Where the second excipient substance is a liposome-forming material that requires high shear to disperse in water, it is presently preferred to sonicate or microfluidize the second excipient substance in water. This can be done before or after the first excipient substance and/or the exogenous chemical is added. The sonication or microfluidization will generally produce liposomes or other aggregate structures other than simple micelles. The precise nature, including average size, of liposomes or other aggregates depends among other things on the energy input during sonication or microfluidization. Higher energy input generally results in smaller liposomes. Although it is possible to entrap or otherwise bind loosely or tightly the exogenous chemical in or on liposomes or with other supramolecular aggregates, the exogenous chemical does not need to be so entrapped or bound, and in fact the present invention is effective when the exogenous chemical is not entrapped or bound in the aggregates at all.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the liposomes or other aggregates have an average diameter of at least 20 nm, more preferably at least 30 nm. We have determined by light scattering that certain liposomal compositions of the invention have average liposome diameters ranging from 54 to 468 nm as calculated using linear fit and from 38 to 390 nm as calculated using quadratic fit.

We have found for compositions of the present invention containing a fatty acid ester such as butyl stearate as the first excipient substance and lecithin as the second excipient substance, it is preferable to first hydrate the lecithin and then microfluidize the lecithin in water together with the fatty acid ester.

The concentrations of the various components will vary, in part depending on whether a concentrate is being prepared that will be further diluted before spraying onto a plant, or whether a solution or dispersion is being prepared that can be sprayed without further dilution.

In an aqueous glyphosate formulation that includes a C₁₆₋₁₈ alkylether surfactant and butyl stearate, suitable concentrations can be: glyphosate 0.1-400 g a.e./l, alkylether surfactant 0.001-10% by weight, and butyl stearate 0.001-10% by weight. To achieve the higher concentrations in these ranges, it is often beneficial to add other ingredients to provide acceptable storage stability, for example colloidal particulate silica or aluminum oxide at 0.5-2.5% by weight. In an aqueous glyphosate formulation that includes a C₁₆₋₁₈ alkylether surfactant but no butyl stearate, glyphosate concentration can suitably be increased to 500 g a.e./l or more, in the presence of a colloidal particulate at 0.5-2.5% by weight.

In solid glyphosate formulations, higher concentrations of ingredients are possible because of the elimination of most of the water.

Weight/weight ratios of ingredients may be more important than absolute concentrations. For example, in a glyphosate formulation containing lecithin and a fatty acid ester, the ratio of lecithin to glyphosate a.e. preferably is in the range from about 1:3 to about 1:100. It is generally preferred to use a ratio of lecithin to glyphosate a.e. close to as high as can be incorporated in the formulation while maintaining stability, in the presence of an amount of the fatty acid ester sufficient to give the desired enhancement of herbicidal effectiveness. For example, a lecithin/glyphosate a.e. ratio in the range from about 1:3 to about 1:10 will generally be found useful, although lower ratios, from about 1:10 to about 1:100, can have benefits on particular weed species in particular situations. The ratio of fatty acid ester to glyphosate a.e. is preferably in the range from about 1:3 to about 1:100, more preferably in the lower part of this range, for example from about 1:10 to about 1:100.

Where the second excipient substance is an alkylether surfactant of formula VI, a suitable weight/weight ratio of alkylether surfactant to glyphosate a.e. is again in the range from about 1:3 to about 1:100, preferably from about 1:3 to about 1:10.

The ratio of fatty acid ester to second excipient substance is preferably in the range from about 1:20 to about 5:1, more preferably in the range from about 1:15 to about 1:1, for example around 1:10. The ranges disclosed herein can be used by one of skill in the art to prepare compositions of the invention having suitable concentrations and ratios of ingredients. Preferred or optimum concentrations and ratios of ingredients for any particular use or situation can be determined by routine experimentation.

Although the combination of the components might be done in a tank mix, it is preferred in the present invention that the combination be made further in advance of the application to the plant, in order to simplify the tasks required of the person who applies the material to plants. We have found, however, that in some cases the biological effectiveness of a liposome-containing composition prepared from scratch as a dilute spray composition is superior to that of a composition having the same ingredients at the same concentrations but diluted from a previously prepared concentrate formulation.

Although various compositions of the present invention are described herein as comprising certain listed materials, in some preferred embodiments of the invention the compositions consist essentially of the indicated materials.

Optionally, other agriculturally acceptable materials can be included in the compositions. For example, more than one exogenous chemical can be included. Also, various agriculturally acceptable adjuvants can be included, whether or not their purpose is to directly contribute to the effect of the exogenous chemical on a plant. For example, when the exogenous chemical is a herbicide, liquid nitrogen fertilizer or ammonium sulfate might be included in the composition. As another example, stabilizers can be added to the composition. In some instances it might be desirable to include microencapsulated acid in the composition, to lower the pH of a spray solution on contact with a leaf. One or more surfactants can also be included. Surfactants mentioned here by trade name, and other surfactants that can be useful in the method of the invention, are indexed in standard reference works such as McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents, 1997 edition, Handbook of Industrial Surfactants, 2nd Edition, 1997, published by Gower, and International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 6th Edition, 1995.

The compositions of the present invention can be applied to plants by spraying, using any conventional means for spraying liquids, such as spray nozzles, atomizers, or the like. Compositions of the present invention can be used in precision farming techniques, in which apparatus is employed to vary the amount of exogenous chemical applied to different parts of a field, depending on variables such as the particular plant species present, soil composition, and the like. In one embodiment of such techniques, a global positioning system operated with the spraying apparatus can be used to apply the desired amount of the composition to different parts of a field.

The composition at the time of application to plants is preferably dilute enough to be readily sprayed using standard agricultural spray equipment. Preferred application rates for the present invention vary depending upon a number of factors, including the type and concentration of active ingredient and the plant species involved. Useful rates for applying an aqueous composition to a field of foliage can range from about 25 to about 1,000 liters per hectare (l/ha) by spray application. The preferred application rates for aqueous solutions are in the range from about 50 to about 300 l/ha.

Many exogenous chemicals (including glyphosate herbicide) must be taken up by living tissues of the plant and translocated within the plant in order to produce the desired biological (e.g., herbicidal) effect. Thus, it is important that a herbicidal composition not be applied in such a manner as to excessively injure and interrupt the normal functioning of the local tissue of the plant so quickly that translocation is reduced. However, some limited degree of local injury can be insignificant, or even beneficial, in its impact on the biological effectiveness of certain exogenous chemicals.

A large number of compositions of the invention are illustrated in the Examples that follow. Many concentrate compositions of glyphosate have provided sufficient herbicidal effectiveness in greenhouse tests to warrant field testing on a wide variety of weed species under a variety of application conditions. Water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion compositions tested in the field have included:

    __________________________________________________________________________                % w/w                                                                          Fatty                          Type of                                Field Glyphos- acid Emulsi- Emulsi- % in inner aq. phase Emulsifier                                                    Emulsifier fatty acid                composition                                                                          ate g a.e./l                                                                        ester                                                                             fier #1                                                                            fier #2                                                                            Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #1   #2   ester                                __________________________________________________________________________     F-1   100  18.0                                                                              3.0 5.0 13.8                                                                               20    Span 80                                                                             Tween 20                                                                            Bu stearate                            F-2 100 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.6 20 Span 80 Tween 20 Bu stearate                        F-3 100 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.6  0 Span 80 Tween 20 Bu stearate                        F-4 160 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.6  0 Span 80 Tween 20 Bu stearate                      __________________________________________________________________________

The above compositions were prepared by process (vi) as described in the Examples.

Aqueous compositions tested in the field having a fatty acid ester as the first excipient substance and containing a nonionic surfactant have included:

    ______________________________________                                         Field Gly-    % w/w                  Type of                                   compo-                                                                               phosate Fatty acid                                                                              Sur-  Type of   fatty acid                                sition g a.e./l ester factant surfactant ester                               ______________________________________                                         F-5   163     1.0      10.0  oleth-20  Bu stearate                               F-6 163 1.0 10.0 Tween 80 Bu stearate                                          F-7 163 1.0 10.0 Neodol 25-20 Bu stearate                                      F-8 163 1.0 10.0 steareth-20 Bu stearate                                       F-9 163 1.0 10.0 Neodol 25-12 Bu stearate                                      F-10 105 7.5 10.0 Tween 80 Bu stearate                                         F-11 163 0.5 5.0 oleth-20 Bu stearate                                          F-12 163 0.3 5.0 oleth-20 Bu stearate                                          F-13 163 0.3 2.5 oleth-20 Bu stearate                                          F-14 163 1.0 10.0 Neodol 25-12 Bu stearate                                     F-15 163 0.3 5.0 Genapol UD-110 Bu stearate                                    F-16 163 0.5 5.0 steareth-20 Bu stearate                                       F-17 163 0.5 5.0 ceteth-20 Bu stearate                                         F-18 163 0.5 5.0 laureth-23 Bu stearate                                        F-19 163 0.5 5.0 ceteareth-27 Bu stearate                                      F-20 163 0.5 5.0 Neodol 25-12 Bu stearate                                      F-21 163 0.5 5.0 Neodol 25-20 Bu stearate                                      F-25 163 0.3 5.0 ceteareth-27 Bu stearate                                      F-26 163 0.3 2.5 ceteareth-27 Bu stearate                                      F-28 163 0.5 5.0 ceteareth-27 Me stearate                                      F-29 163 0.5 5.0 steareth-20 Me stearate                                       F-31 163 0.5 5.0 Neodol 45-13 Bu stearate                                      F-33 163 0.5 5.0 ceteareth-15 Bu stearate                                      F-35 163 0.5 5.0 steareth-30 Bu stearate                                     ______________________________________                                    

The above compositions were prepared by process (vii) as described in the Examples.

Aqueous compositions tested in the field containing colloidal particulates have included:

    __________________________________________________________________________     Glyphos-   % w/w              Type of                                                                              Type of                                    Field ate  Fatty acid                                                                          Surf-                                                                             Colloidal                                                                           Type of                                                                              colloidal                                                                            fatty acid                                   composition g a.e./l ester actant particulate surfactant particulate                                             ester                                      __________________________________________________________________________     F-36  360  1.0  10.0                                                                              1.3  steareth-20                                                                          Aerosil 380                                                                          Bu stearate                                  F-37 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 oleth-20 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                         F-38 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 steareth-30 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                      F-50 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 ceteareth-15 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                     F-51 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 ceteth-20 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                        F-52 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 steareth-20 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                      F-53 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 oleth-20 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                         F-54 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 ceteareth-27 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                     F-55 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 steareth-30 Aerosil 380 Bu stearate                      F-60 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 ceteareth-27 Aerosil 380 Me stearate                     F-61 360 1.0 10.0 1.3 ceteareth-27 Aerosil 380 Me palmitate                  __________________________________________________________________________

The above compositions were prepared by process (ix) as described in the Examples.

Aqueous compositions tested in the field having fatty acid ester as the first excipient substance and soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti) as the second excipient substance have included:

    __________________________________________________________________________                 % w/w                                                              Field Glyphosate                                                                               MON                                                                               Fatty acid                                                                               Type of                                                                               Type of                                      composition g a.e./l Lecithin 0818 ester Surfactant surfactant fatty                                             acid ester                                 __________________________________________________________________________     F-135 360   0.5 6.0                                                                               7.5  6.0  Ethomeen T/25                                                                         Bu stearate                                  F-136 360 6.0 4.5 1.5 3.0 + 4.5 ceteareth-27 + Bu stearate                           Ethomeen T/25                                                            F-137 228 6.0 3.0 1.5 3.0 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-138 228 0.8  3.8 3.0 + 3.0 ceteareth-27 + Bu stearate                              Ethomeen T/25                                                            F-139 228 1.5  1.5 3.0 + 3.0 ceteareth-27 + Bu stearate                              Ethomeen T/25                                                            F-140 228 6.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-141 228 6.7 1.7 0.7 1.7 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-142 228 6.7 3.3 0.7 3.3 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-143 228 3.3 0.8 0.7 0.8 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-144 228 3.3 1.7 0.7 1.7 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-145 228 3.3 2.5 0.7 2.5 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-146 228 3.3 3.3 0.7 3.3 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-147 228 6.7 2.5 0.7 2.5 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-148 228  3.0 0.5 3.0 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                               F-149 228 2.0 2.5 0.5 2.5 Ethomeen T/25 Bu stearate                            F-150 228 4.0 6.0 0.5   Bu stearate                                            F-151 228 4.0 6.0 2.0   Bu stearate                                            F-152 228 4.0 6.0 1.0   Bu stearate                                            F-153 228 2.0 2.0 0.5   Bu stearate                                            F-154 228 2.0 4.0 0.5   Bu stearate                                            F-155 228  6.0 0.5   Bu stearate                                             __________________________________________________________________________

The above compositions were prepared by process (x) as described in the Examples.

Dry compositions tested in the field have included:

    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Field Glyphos- Butyl                                                                              Surfact-                                                                           Colloidal                                                                           Type of                                                                              Type of                                        composition ate a.e. Lecithin stearate ant particulate surfactant                                              colloidal particulate                        __________________________________________________________________________     F-164 64   12.0                                                                               3.0 12.0     MON 0818                                             F-165 64 6.7 6.7 13.2  MON 0818                                                F-167 66  2.0 20.0 2.0 steareth-20 Aerosil blend 1                             F-169 66  2.0 20.0 2.0 oleth-20 Aerosil blend 1                                F-170 66  2.0 20.0 2.0 ceteareth-27 Aerosil blend 1                          __________________________________________________________________________      Aerosil blend 1: Aerosil MOX80 + Aerosil MOX170 (1:1)                    

The above compositions were prepared by the process described for dry granular compositions in Example 64.

EXAMPLES

In the following Examples illustrative of the invention, greenhouse tests were conducted to evaluate relative herbicidal effectiveness of glyphosate compositions. Compositions included for comparative purposes included the following:

Formulation B: which consists of 41% by weight of glyphosate IPA salt in aqueous solution. This formulation is sold in the USA by Monsanto Company under the ACCORD® trademark.

Formulation C: which consists of 41% by weight of glyphosate IPA salt in aqueous solution with a coformulant (15% by weight) of a surfactant (MON 0818 of Monsanto Company) based on polyoxyethylene (15) tallowamine. This formulation is sold in Canada by Monsanto Company under the ROUNDUP® trademark.

Formulation J: which consists of 41% by weight of glyphosate IPA salt in aqueous solution, together with surfactant. This formulation is sold in the USA by Monsanto Company under the ROUNDUP® ULTRA trademark.

Formulation K: which consists of 75% by weight of glyphosate ammonium salt together with surfactant, as a water-soluble dry granular formulation. This formulation is sold in Australia by Monsanto Company under the ROUNDUP® DRY trademark.

Formulations B, C and J contain 356 grams of glyphosate acid equivalent per liter (g a.e./l). Formulation K contains 680 grams of glyphosate acid equivalent per kilogram (g a.e./kg).

Various proprietary excipients were used in compositions of the Examples. They may be identified as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Trade name                                                                               Manufacturer                                                                              Chemical description                                      ______________________________________                                         Aerosil 90                                                                               Degussa    amorphous silica, 90 m.sup.2 /g                             Aerosil 380 Degussa amorphous silica, 380 m.sup.2 /g                           Aerosil MOX-80 Degussa amorphous silica/aluminum oxide,                          80 m.sup.2 /g                                                                Aerosil MOX-170 Degussa amorphous silica/aluminum oxide,                         170 m.sup.2 /g                                                               Aerosil OX-50 Degussa amorphous silica, 50 m.sup.2 /g                          Aerosil R-202 Degussa amorphous hydrophobic silica                               (dimethylsiloxane surface group)                                             Aerosil R-805 Degussa amorphous hydrophobic silica                               (octyl surface group)                                                        Aerosil R-812 Degussa amorphous hydrophobic silica                               (trimethylsilyl surface group)                                               Aerosol OT Cytec dioctyl sulfosuccinate, Na salt                               Agrimer AL-25 ISP 1-ethenyl hexadecyl-2-pyrrolidinone                          Agrimer AL-30 ISP 1-ethenyl-2-pyrrolidinone polymer                            Aluminum oxide Degussa aluminum oxide, 100 m.sup.2 /g                          C                                                                              Arcosolve DPM Arco dipropyleneglycol monomethyl ether                          Dowanol PNB Dow propylene glycol n-butyl ether                                 Dowanol TPNB Dow tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether                             Emerest 2421 Henkel glyceryl oleate                                            Emerest 2661 Henkel PEG-12 laurate                                             Emid 6545 Henkel oleic diethanolamide                                          Ethomeen C/12 Akzo cocoamine 2EO                                               Ethomeen T/12 Akzo tallowamine 2EO                                             Ethomeen T/25 Akzo tallowamine 15EO                                            Exxate 700 Exxon C.sub.7 alkyl acetate                                         Exxate 1000 Exxon C.sub.7 alkyl acetate                                        Exxol D-130 Exxon dearomatized aliphatic solvent                               Fluorad FC-135 3M fluorinated alkyl quaternary                                   ammonium iodide                                                              Fluorad FC-754 3M fluorinated alkyl quaternary                                   ammonium chloride                                                            Genapol UD-110 Hoechst C.sub.11 oxo alcohol 11EO                               Isopar V Exxon isoparaffinic oil                                               MON 0818 Monsanto tallowamine 15EO-based surfactant                            Myrj 52 ICI PEG-40 stearate                                                    Myrj 59 ICI PEG-100 stearate                                                   Neodol 1-7 Shell C.sub.11 linear alcohol 7EO                                   Neodol 1-9 Shell C.sub.11 linear alcohol 9EO                                   Neodol 25-12 Shell C.sub.11-15 linear alcohol 12EO                             Neodol 25-20 Shell C.sub.11-15 linear alcohol 20EO                             Neodol 25-3 Shell C.sub.11-15 linear alcohol 3EO                               Neodol 25-9 Shell C.sub.11-15 linear alcohol 9EO                               Neodol 45-13 Shell C.sub.13-15 linear alcohol 13EO                             Neodol 91-2.5 Shell C.sub.9-11 linear alcohol 2.5EO                            Orchex 796 Exxon paraffinic oil                                                Pluronic F-108 BASF 128EO-54PO-128EO block                                       copolymer                                                                    Pluronic F-127 BASF 98EO-67PO-98EO block copolymer                             Pluronic F-68 BASF 75EO-30PO-75EO block copolymer                              Pluronic L-43 BASF 7EO-21PO-7EO block copolymer                                Pluronic L-81 BASF 6EO-39PO-6EO block copolymer                                Pluronic P-84 BASF 27EO-39PO-27EO block copolymer                              Silwet 800 Witco heptamethyltrisiloxane EO                                     Silwet L-77 Witco heptamethyltrisiloxane 7EO methyl                              ether                                                                        Span 60 ICI sorbitan monostearate                                              Span 65 ICI sorbitan tristearate                                               Span 80 ICI sorbitan monooleate                                                Span 85 ICI sorbitan trioleate                                                 Surfynol 104 Air Products tetramethyldecyne diol                               Tergitol 15-S-15 Union Carbide C.sub.15 branched secondary alcohol                                   15EO                                                     Tergitol 15-S-20 Union Carbide C.sub.15 branched secondary alcohol                                   20EO                                                     Tergitol 15-S-30 Union Carbide C.sub.15 branched secondary alcohol                                   30EO                                                     Tergitol 15-S-40 Union Carbide C.sub.15 branched secondary alcohol                                   40EO                                                     Toximul 8240 Stepan PEG-36 castor oil                                          Tween 20 ICI sorbitan monolaurate 20EO                                         Tween 40 ICI sorbitan monopalmitate 20EO                                       Tween 80 ICI sorbitan monooleate 20EO                                          Tween 85 ICI sorbitan trioleate 20EO                                         ______________________________________                                    

Fluorad FC-135, though defined only generically as above in 3M product literature and in standard directories, has been specifically identified as

    C.sub.8 F.sub.17 SO.sub.2 NH(CH.sub.2).sub.3 N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.3 I.sup.-

in a paper by J. Linert & J. N. Chasman of 3M, titled "The effects of fluorochemical surfactants on recoatability" in the Dec. 20, 1993 issue of American Paint & Coatings Journal, and reprinted as a trade brochure by 3M. Fluorad FC-754 is believed to have the structure

C₈ F₁₇ SO₂ NH(CH₂)₃ N⁺ (CH₃)₃ Cl⁻

that is, identical to Fluorad FC-135 but with a chloride anion replacing iodide.

Fatty alcohol ethoxylate surfactants are referred to in the Examples by their generic names as given in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 6th Edition, 1995 (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Washington, DC). They were interchangeably sourced from various manufacturers, for example:

Laureth-23: Brij 35 (ICI), Trycol 5964 (Henkel).

Ceteth-10: Brij 56 (ICI).

Ceteth-20: Brij 58 (ICI).

Steareth-10: Brij 76 (ICI).

Steareth-20: Brij 78 (ICI), Emthox 5888-A (Henkel), STA-20 (Heterene).

Steareth-30: STA-30 (Heterene).

Steareth-100: Brij 700 (ICI).

Ceteareth-15: CS-15 (Heterene).

Ceteareth-20: CS-20 (Heterene).

Ceteareth-27: Plurafac A-38 (BASF).

Ceteareth-55: Plurafac A-39 (BASF).

Oleth-2: Brij 92 (ICI).

Oleth-10: Brij 97 (ICI).

Oleth-20: Brij 98 (ICI), Trycol 5971 (Henkel).

Where a proprietary excipient is a surfactant supplied as a solution in water or other solvent, the amount to be used was calculated on a true surfactant basis, not an "as is" basis. For example, Fluorad FC-135 is supplied as 50% true surfactant, together with 33% isopropanol and 17% water; thus to provide a composition containing 0.1% w/w Fluorad FC-135 as reported herein, 0.2 g of the product as supplied was included in 100 g of the composition. The amount of lecithin, however, is always reported herein on an "as is" basis, regardless of the content of phospholipid in the lecithin sample used.

Spray compositions of the Examples contained an exogenous chemical, such as glyphosate IPA salt, in addition to the excipient ingredients listed. The amount of exogenous chemical was selected to provide the desired rate in grams per hectare (g/ha) when applied in a spray volume of 93 l/ha. Several exogenous chemical rates were applied for each composition. Thus, except where otherwise indicated, when spray compositions were tested, the concentration of exogenous chemical varied in direct proportion to exogenous chemical rate, but the concentration of excipient ingredients was held constant across different exogenous chemical rates.

Concentrate compositions were tested by dilution, dissolution or dispersion in water to form spray compositions. In these spray compositions prepared from concentrates, the concentration of excipient ingredients varied with that of exogenous chemical.

For spray compositions of the Examples, unless otherwise indicated, the preparation procedure was one of the following processes (i) to (iii).

(i) For compositions not containing lecithin or phospholipids, aqueous compositions were prepared by simple mixing of ingredients under mild agitation.

(ii) A weighed quantity of lecithin in powder form was dissolved in 0.4 ml chloroform in a 100 ml bottle. The resulting solution was air-dried to leave a thin film of lecithin, to which was added 30 ml deionized water. The bottle and its contents were then sonicated in a Fisher Sonic Dismembrator, Model 550, fitted with a 2.4 cm probe tip, set at output level 8, and operated continuously for 3 minutes. The resulting aqueous dispersion of lecithin was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and formed a lecithin stock which was later mixed in the required amounts with other ingredients under mild agitation. In some cases, as indicated in the Examples, certain ingredients were added to the lecithin in water before sonication, so that the lecithin and these ingredients were sonicated together. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that by sonicating a formulation ingredient together with lecithin, at least some of that ingredient becomes encapsulated within, or otherwise bound to or trapped by, vesicles or other aggregates formed by phospholipids present in the lecithin.

(iii) The procedure of process (ii) was followed except that, before sonication, the step of forming a lecithin solution in chloroform was omitted. Instead, lecithin in powder form was placed in a beaker, water was added and the beaker and its contents were then sonicated.

For concentrate compositions of the Examples containing lecithin, the preparation procedure was one of the following processes (iv) or (v), or in some cases process (x) below.

(iv) A weighed amount of lecithin powder of the type indicated was placed in a beaker and deionized water was added in no more than the amount required for the desired final composition. The beaker and its contents were then placed in a Fisher Sonic Dismembrator, Model 550, fitted with a 2.4 cm probe tip, set at output level 8, and operated for 5 minutes. The resulting lecithin dispersion formed the basis to which other ingredients were added with mild agitation to make the aqueous concentrate formulation. The order of addition of these ingredients was varied and was sometimes found to affect the physical stability of the concentrate formulation. Where a fluoro-organic surfactant such as Fluorad FC-135 or FC-754 was to be included, it was generally added first, followed by other surfactants if required and then by the exogenous chemical. Where the exogenous chemical used was glyphosate IPA salt, this was added in the form of a 62% (45% a.e.) solution by weight, at a pH of 4.4 to 4.6. A final adjustment with water took place if necessary as the last step. In some cases certain ingredients of the concentrate formulation were added before rather than after sonication, so that they were sonicated with the lecithin.

(v) A weighed amount of lecithin powder of the type indicated was placed in a beaker and deionized water was added in sufficient quantity to provide, after sonication as detailed below, a lecithin stock at a convenient concentration, normally in the range from 10% to 20% w/w and typically 15% w/w. The beaker and its contents were then placed in a Fisher Sonic Dismembrator, Model 550, fitted with a 2.4 cm probe tip with the pulse period set at 15 seconds with 1 minute intervals between pulses to allow cooling. Power output was set at level 8. After a total of 3 minutes of sonication (12 pulse periods) the resulting lecithin stock was finally adjusted to the desired concentration if necessary with deionized water. To prepare an aqueous concentrate formulation, the following ingredients were mixed in the appropriate proportions with mild agitation, normally in the order given although this was sometimes varied and was found in some cases to affect the physical stability of the concentrate formulation: (a) exogenous chemical, for example glyphosate IPA salt as a 62% w/w solution at pH 4.4-4.6; (b) lecithin stock; (c) other ingredients if required; and (d) water.

Many of the Examples feature aqueous concentrate compositions of the invention. Except where otherwise indicated, these aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared by the following general processes (vi) to (ix).

(vi) Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions were prepared as follows. First a water-in-oil emulsion was prepared. To do this, the required amounts of the selected oil and a first emulsifier (referred to in the Examples as "emulsifier #1") were mixed thoroughly. If it was desired to prepare the formulation with glyphosate in the inner aqueous phase, a measured amount of concentrated (62% w/w) aqueous solution of glyphosate IPA salt was added to the mixture of oil and first emulsifier with agitation to ensure homogeneity. The amount of water required in the inner aqueous phase was then added to complete the water-in-oil emulsion, which was finally subjected to high-shear mixing, typically using a Silverson L4RT-A mixer fitted with a fine emulsor screen operated for 3 minutes at 10,000 rpm. The required amount of a second emulsifier (referred to in the Examples as "emulsifier #2") was next added to the water-in-oil emulsion with agitation to ensure homogeneity. If it was desired to prepare the formulation with glyphosate in the outer aqueous phase, a measured amount of concentrated (62% w/w) aqueous solution of glyphosate IPA salt was added to the blend of the water-in-oil emulsion and the second emulsifier with further agitation. To complete the water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion composition, the amount of water required in the outer aqueous phase was added. The composition was finally subjected to high-shear mixing, typically using a Silverson L4RT-A mixer fitted with a medium emulsor screen, operated for 3 minutes at 7,000 rpm.

(vii) Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions were prepared as follows. The required amount of the selected oil and surfactant (sometimes referred to in the Examples as "emulsifier #2" as it corresponds to the second emulsifier in process (vi)) were mixed thoroughly. If the surfactant selected was not free-flowing at ambient temperature, heat was applied to bring the surfactant into a flowable condition before mixing with the oil. A measured amount of concentrated (62% w/w) aqueous solution of glyphosate IPA salt was added to the surfactant-oil mixture with agitation. The required amount of water was added to bring the concentration of glyphosate and other ingredients to the desired level. The composition was finally subjected to high-shear mixing, typically using a Silverson L4RT-A mixer fitted with a medium emulsor screen, operated for 3 minutes at 7,000 rpm.

(viii) Surfactant-containing aqueous solution concentrates having no oil component were prepared as follows. A concentrated (62% w/w) aqueous solution of glyphosate IPA salt was added in the desired amount to a weighed quantity of the selected surfactant(s). If the surfactant selected is not free-flowing at ambient temperature, heat was applied to bring the surfactant into a flowable condition before adding the glyphosate solution. The required amount of water was added to bring the concentration of glyphosate and other ingredients to the desired level. The composition was finally subjected to high-shear mixing, typically using a Silverson L4RT-A mixer fitted with a medium emulsor screen, operated for 3 minutes at 7,000 rpm.

(ix) For compositions containing a colloidal particulate, the required amount by weight of the selected colloidal particulate was suspended in a concentrated (62% w/w) aqueous solution of glyphosate IPA salt and agitated with cooling to ensure homogeneity. To the resulting suspension was added the required amount by weight of the selected surfactant(s). For a surfactant which is not free-flowing at ambient temperature, heat was applied to bring the surfactant into a flowable condition before adding it to the suspension. In those instances where an oil, such as butyl stearate, was also to be included in the composition, the oil was first thoroughly mixed with the surfactant and the surfactant-oil mixture added to the suspension. To complete the aqueous concentrate, the required amount of water was added to bring the concentration of glyphosate and other ingredients to the desired level. The concentrate was finally subjected to high-shear mixing, typically using a Silverson L4RT-A mixer fitted with a medium emulsor screen, operated for 3 minutes at 7,000 rpm.

(x) The procedure for preparing aqueous concentrate formulations containing lecithin and butyl stearate was different from that followed for other lecithin-containing concentrates. Exogenous chemical, for example glyphosate IPA salt, was first added, with mild agitation, to deionized water in a formulation jar. The selected surfactant (other than lecithin) was then added, while continuing the agitation, to form a preliminary exogenous chemical/ surfactant mixture. Where the surfactant is not free-flowing at ambient temperature, the order of addition was not as above. Instead, the non-free-flowing surfactant was first added to water together with any other surfactant (other than lecithin) required in the composition, and was then heated to 55° C. in a shaker bath for 2 hours. The resulting mixture was allowed to cool, then exogenous chemical was added with mild agitation to form the preliminary exogenous chemical/surfactant mixture. A weighed amount of the selected lecithin was added to the preliminary exogenous chemical/surfactant mixture, with stirring to break up lumps. The mixture was left for about 1 hour to allow the lecithin to hydrate, then butyl stearate was added, with further stirring until no phase separation occurred. The mixture was then transferred to a microfluidizer (Microfluidics International Corporation, Model M-110F) and microfluidized for 3 to 5 cycles at 10,000 psi (69 MPa). In each cycle, the formulation jar was rinsed with microfluidized mixture. In the last cycle, the finished composition was collected in a clean dry beaker.

The following procedure was used for testing compositions of the Examples to determine herbicidal effectiveness, except where otherwise indicated.

Seeds of the plant species indicated were planted in 85 mm square pots in a soil mix which was previously steam sterilized and prefertilized with a 13-13-14 NPK slow release fertilizer at a rate of 3.6 kg/m³. The pots were placed in a greenhouse with sub-irrigation. About one week after emergence, seedlings were thinned as needed, including removal of any unhealthy or abnormal plants, to create a uniform series of test pots.

The plants were maintained for the duration of the test in the greenhouse where they received a minimum of 14 hours of light per day. If natural light was insufficient to achieve the daily requirement, artificial light with an intensity of approximately 475 microeinsteins was used to make up the difference. Exposure temperatures were not precisely controlled but averaged about 27° C. during the day and about 18° C. during the night. Plants were sub-irrigated throughout the test to ensure adequate soil moisture levels.

Pots were assigned to different treatments in a fully randomized experimental design with 3 replications. A set of pots was left untreated as a reference against which effects of the treatments could later be evaluated.

Application of glyphosate compositions was made by spraying with a track sprayer fitted with a 9501E nozzle calibrated to deliver a spray volume of 93 liters per hectare (l/ha) at a pressure of 166 kilopascals (kPa). After treatment, pots were returned to the greenhouse until ready for evaluation.

Treatments were made using dilute aqueous compositions. These could be prepared as spray compositions directly from their ingredients, or by dilution with water of preformulated concentrate compositions.

For evaluation of herbicidal effectiveness, all plants in the test were examined by a single practiced technician, who recorded percent inhibition, a visual measurement of the effectiveness of each treatment by comparison with untreated plants. Inhibition of 0% indicates no effect, and inhibition of 100% indicates that all of the plants are completely dead. Inhibition of 85% or more is in most cases considered acceptable for normal herbicidal use; however in greenhouse tests such as those of the Examples it is normal to apply compositions at rates which give less than 85% inhibition, as this makes it easier to discriminate among compositions having different levels of effectiveness.

Example 1

Invert (water-in-oil) emulsion formulations containing glyphosate IPA salt were prepared as follows. In 235 g of a selected oil, 15 g soybean lecithin (20% phospholipid, Avanti) was dissolved to provide an oil feedstock. To a weighed amount of the oil feedstock in a Waring blender, a small quantity of concentrated (62% w/w) aqueous solution of glyphosate IPA salt was added quickly under high shear to make a ready-to-spray water-in-oil emulsion. The precise quantity of oil feedstock and glyphosate salt solution varied depending on the desired application rate. For a glyphosate rate of 100 g a.e./ha in a spray volume of 93 l/ha, 0.12 g glyphosate salt solution was added to 49.9 g oil feedstock. For higher rates, the amount of glyphosate salt solution was increased pro rata and the total weight of emulsion prepared kept constant at 50 g. Table 1a shows the composition of the oil feedstocks used.

                  TABLE 1a                                                         ______________________________________                                         Oil feedstock                                                                               % w/w              Type of                                        no.          Oil    Lecithin    oil                                            ______________________________________                                         1-01         94.0   6.0         mineral oil                                      1-02 94.0 6.0 methyl oleate                                                    1-03 94.0 6.0 silicone oil                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH and 17 days after planting ECHCF. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulation C was applied in 93 l/ha of aqueous spray solution as a comparative treatment. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 1b.

                  Table 1b                                                         ______________________________________                                                      Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                            Spray composition                                                                             g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                     ______________________________________                                         Formulation C  100         40        65                                           300 80 83                                                                      400 93 89                                                                      500 99 95                                                                     1-01 + glyphosate IPA salt 0 20 0                                               100 0 0                                                                        300 10 11                                                                      400 8 0                                                                        500 5 10                                                                      1-02 + glyphosate IPA salt 0 8 0                                                100 30 3                                                                       300 25 3                                                                       400 38 3                                                                       500 20 13                                                                     1-03 + glyphosate IPA salt 0 0 0                                                100 3 6                                                                        300 48 0                                                                       400 5 0                                                                        500 25 0                                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Water-in-oil emulsion compositions of this Example did not show a high degree of herbicidal effectiveness.

Example 2

Aqueous spray compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 2a. Process (iii) was followed for all compositions, using soybean lecithin (20% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 2a                                                         ______________________________________                                         Spray         % w/w               Components                                   com-  Lecithin                                                                               Fluorad Silwet                                                                               Methyl                                                                               Sodium                                                                               sonicated with                           position g/l FC-135 L-77 caprate cholate lecithin                            ______________________________________                                         2-01  5.0                               none                                     2-02 5.0  0.50   none                                                          2-03 5.0  0.50   L-77                                                          2-04 2.5     none                                                              2-05 0.5     none                                                              2-06 2.5  0.50   none                                                          2-07 2.5  0.50   L-77                                                          2-08 0.5  0.50   none                                                          2-09 0.5  0.50   L-77                                                          2-10 2.5 0.25    none                                                          2-11 2.5 0.10    none                                                          2-12 2.5 0.05    none                                                          2-13 0.5 0.25    none                                                          2-14 0.5 0.10    none                                                          2-15 0.5 0.05    none                                                          2-16 2.5   0.10  Me caprate                                                    2-17 2.5    0.10 Na cholate                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 18 days after planting ABUTH and 21 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

In addition to compositions 2-01 to 2-17, spray compositions were prepared by tank mixing Formulations B and C with Fluorad FC-135 at various concentrations. Formulations B and C, alone and tank mixed with 0.5% Silwet L-77, were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 2b.

                  TABLE 2b                                                         ______________________________________                                                      Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                            Spray composition                                                                             g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                     ______________________________________                                         Formulation B  200         53        69                                           300 76 85                                                                      400 77 81                                                                     Formulation B +  200 100 28                                                    Silwet L-77 0.5% v/v 300 100 35                                                 400 100 47                                                                    Formulation C 200 57 81                                                         300 73 90                                                                      400 98 94                                                                     Formulation C + 200 99 28                                                      Silwet L-77 0.5% v/v 300 98 53                                                  400 99 56                                                                     Formulation B + 200 76 85                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 300 95 81                                              400 100 100                                                                   Formulation B + 200 77 70                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.1% w/v 300 94 81                                               400 98 87                                                                     Formulation B + 200 65 73                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.05% w/v 300 84 94                                              400 88 96                                                                     Formulation C + 200 83 78                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 300 98 94                                              400 97 95                                                                     Formulation C + 200 65 66                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.1% w/v 300 89 86                                               400 97 89                                                                     Formulation C + 200 70 78                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.05% w/v 300 79 84                                              400 96 98                                                                     2-01 200 93 71                                                                  300 91 89                                                                      400 97 97                                                                     2-02 200 95 59                                                                  300 97 68                                                                      400 99 79                                                                     2-03 200 97 55                                                                  300 98 62                                                                      400 100 76                                                                    2-04 200 83 72                                                                  300 87 84                                                                      400 95 100                                                                    2-05 200 69 78                                                                  300 92 93                                                                      400 98 97                                                                     2-06 200 94 61                                                                  300 99 67                                                                      400 100 76                                                                    2-07 200 99 52                                                                  300 99 63                                                                      400 100 80                                                                    2-08 200 96 47                                                                  300 99 57                                                                      400 99 55                                                                     2-09 200 99 23                                                                  300 98 58                                                                      400 100 53                                                                    2-10 200 89 91                                                                  300 91 99                                                                      400 98 100                                                                    2-11 200 81 91                                                                  300 91 99                                                                      400 92 100                                                                    2-12 200 66 96                                                                  300 86 100                                                                     400 94 99                                                                     2-13 200 80 97                                                                  300 98 98                                                                      400 99 100                                                                    2-14 200 68 92                                                                  300 89 100                                                                     400 99 98                                                                     2-15 200 84 95                                                                  300 94 100                                                                     400 97 100                                                                    2-16 200 73 94                                                                  300 89 100                                                                     400 99 100                                                                    2-17 200 58 94                                                                  300 77 96                                                                      400 90 90                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

In this test addition of 0.1% methyl caprate to 0.25% lecithin, the methyl caprate being sonicated together with the lecithin, enhanced performance on ECHCF but not on ABUTH (compare compositions 2-16 and 2-04).

Example 3

Compositions 2-01 to 2-17 of Example 2, and tank mixtures of Formulations B and C with Fluorad FC-135, were tested in this Example. Prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 22 days after planting SIDSP, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B and C, alone and tank mixed with 0.5% Silwet L-77, were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                          Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                         Spray composition g a.e./ha SIDSP                                            ______________________________________                                         Formulation B    200        46                                                    300 75                                                                         400 80                                                                        Formulation B + 200 96                                                         Silwet L-77 0.5% v/v 300 89                                                     400 87                                                                        Formulation C 200 80                                                            300 98                                                                         400 98                                                                        Formulation C + 200 75                                                         Silwet L-77 0.5% v/v 300 91                                                     400 94                                                                        Formulation B + 200 82                                                         Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 300 94                                                 400 98                                                                        Formulation B + 200 70                                                         Fluorad FC-135 0.1% w/v 300 93                                                  400 88                                                                        Formulation B + 200 79                                                         Fluorad FC-135 0.05% w/v 300 92                                                 400 99                                                                        Formulation C + 200 79                                                         Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 300 97                                                 400 97                                                                        Formulation C + 200 90                                                         Fluorad FC-135 0.1% w/v 300 96                                                  400 97                                                                        Formulation C + 200 80                                                         Fluorad FC-135 0.05% w/v 300 96                                                 400 99                                                                        2-01 200 93                                                                     300 97                                                                         400 98                                                                        2-02 200 71                                                                     300 89                                                                         400 89                                                                        2-03 200 71                                                                     300 87                                                                         400 98                                                                        2-04 200 76                                                                     300 100                                                                        400 100                                                                       2-05 200 91                                                                     300 99                                                                         400 97                                                                        2-06 200 57                                                                     300 95                                                                         400 88                                                                        2-07 200 64                                                                     300 68                                                                         400 94                                                                        2-08 200 89                                                                     300 96                                                                         400 99                                                                        2-09 200 80                                                                     300 77                                                                         400 94                                                                        2-10 200 90                                                                     300 94                                                                         400 98                                                                        2-11 200 81                                                                     300 100                                                                        400 96                                                                        2-12 200 86                                                                     300 92                                                                         400 95                                                                        2-13 200 86                                                                     300 99                                                                         400 100                                                                       2-14 200 97                                                                     300 100                                                                        400 100                                                                       2-15 200 99                                                                     300 100                                                                        400 100                                                                       2-16 200 92                                                                     300 100                                                                        400 100                                                                       2-17 200 92                                                                     300 99                                                                         400 100                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Herbicidal effectiveness of Formulation C was very high on SIDSP in this test and accordingly enhancements are difficult to discern. However, 0.1% methyl caprate (composition 2-16) enhanced the effectiveness of a composition containing 0.25% lecithin (2-04)

Example 4

Aqueous spray compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 4a. Process (iii) was followed for all compositions, using soybean lecithin (20% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 4a                                                         ______________________________________                                                                             Components                                   Spray Lecithin % w/w (*) Other sonicated with                                comp. g/l     FC-135  Other (*)                                                                              ingredient                                                                             lecithin                                 ______________________________________                                         4-01  2.5                             none                                       4-02 2.5    glyphosate                                                         4-03 2.5 0.25   none                                                           4-04 2.5 0.25   glyphosate                                                     4-05 2.5  0.25 Silwet 800 none                                                 4-06 2.5  0.25 Silwet 800 Silwet 800                                           4-07 2.5  0.25 Silwet 800 Silwet,                                                   glyphosate                                                                4-08 0.5    none                                                               4-09 0.5    glyphosate                                                         4-10 0.5 0.05   none                                                           4-11 0.5 0.05   glyphosate                                                     4-12 0.5 0.03 0.02 Silwet L-77 Silwet L-77                                     4-13 0.5  0.05 methyl Me caprate                                                   caprate                                                                    4-14 0.5 0.05 0.05 methyl Me caprate                                               caprate                                                                    4-15 0.5 0.05 0.05 methyl Me caprate,                                              caprate glyphosate                                                         4-16 0.5  0.01 PVA none                                                        4-17 0.5  0.01 PVA glyphosate                                                  4-18 0.5 0.05 0.01 PVA glyphosate                                              4-19 0.5  0.05 + 0.01 L-77 + PVA Silwet L-77                                 ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and 21 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 17 days after application.

In addition to compositions 4-01 to 4-19, spray compositions were prepared by tank mixing Formulations B and C with Fluorad FC-135 at two concentrations. Formulations B and C, alone and tank mixed with 0.5% Silwet 800, were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 4b.

                  TABLE 4b                                                         ______________________________________                                                      Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                            Spray composition                                                                             g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                     ______________________________________                                         Formulation B  150         13        28                                           250 37 51                                                                      350 56 38                                                                     Formulation B +  150 81 15                                                     Silwet 800 0.25% v/v 250 89 17                                                  350 91 20                                                                     Formulation C 150 32 65                                                         250 59 91                                                                      350 85 89                                                                     Formulation C + 150 91 17                                                      Silwet 800 0.25% v/v 250 91 23                                                  350 95 48                                                                     Formulation B + 150 31 58                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 250 53 68                                              350 71 84                                                                     Formulation B + 150 31 29                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.05% w/v 250 44 69                                              350 95 79                                                                     Formulation C + 150 46 45                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 250 69 79                                              350 86 77                                                                     Formulation C + 150 44 57                                                      Fluorad FC-135 0.05% w/v 250 60 87                                              350 86 88                                                                     4-01 150 55 50                                                                  250 87 81                                                                      350 89 88                                                                     4-02 150 56 54                                                                  250 89 69                                                                      350 87 98                                                                     4-03 150 89 68                                                                  250 89 84                                                                      350 91 90                                                                     4-04 150 63 68                                                                  250 89 86                                                                      350 99 89                                                                     4-05 150 81 51                                                                  250 87 84                                                                      350 94 26                                                                     4-06 150 67 0                                                                   250 93 62                                                                      350 94 81                                                                     4-07 150 81 35                                                                  250 84 51                                                                      350 95 62                                                                     4-08 150 59 51                                                                  250 84 69                                                                      350 98 90                                                                     4-09 150 64 59                                                                  250 85 61                                                                      350 94 96                                                                     4-10 150 73 74                                                                  250 87 83                                                                      350 98 96                                                                     4-11 150 76 64                                                                  250 88 79                                                                      350 94 81                                                                     4-12 150 59 46                                                                  250 82 88                                                                      350 92 82                                                                     4-13 150 61 45                                                                  250 90 69                                                                      350 93 90                                                                     4-14 150 76 50                                                                  250 95 73                                                                      350 99 91                                                                     4-15 150 78 67                                                                  250 95 80                                                                      350 99 85                                                                     4-16 150 48 42                                                                  250 77 87                                                                      350 87 75                                                                     4-17 150 47 63                                                                  250 85 67                                                                      350 90 78                                                                     4-18 150 55 46                                                                  250 82 77                                                                      350 90 87                                                                     4-19 150 32 23                                                                  250 43 31                                                                      350 76 65                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

In this test, addition of methyl caprate to compositions containing lecithin with or without Fluorad FC-135 (4-13 to 4-15) improved herbicidal effectiveness on ABUTH but had little effect on ECHCF.

Example 5

Aqueous spray compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 5a. Process (iii) was followed for all compositions, using soybean lecithin (20% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 5a                                                         ______________________________________                                                     % w/w         Components                                           Spray                     Aerosol                                                                              Methyl                                                                               sonicated with                             composition Lecithin g/l FC-135 OT caprate lecithin                          ______________________________________                                         5-01    2.5                           none                                       5-02 2.5    glyphosate                                                         5-03 1.0    none                                                               5-04 1.0    glyphosate                                                         5-05 0.5    none                                                               5-06 0.5    glyphosate                                                         5-07 0.2    none                                                               5-08 0.2    glyphosate                                                         5-09 0.5  0.05  none                                                           5-10 0.5  0.05  AOT,                                                                glyphosate                                                                5-11 0.5  0.05  AOT                                                            5-12 2.5 0.25   none                                                           5-13 0.5 0.05   none                                                           5-14 0.5 0.05   glyphosate                                                     5-15 0.5   0.05 Me caprate                                                     5-16 0.5 0.05  0.05 Me caprate                                                 5-17 0.2 0.02   none                                                           5-18 0.2 0.02   glyphosate                                                     5-19 0.2   0.02 Me caprate                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF), and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and 22 days after planting ECHCF. No record was found for the planting date for SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

In addition to compositions 5-01 to 5-19, spray compositions were prepared by tank mixing Formulations B and C with Fluorad FC-135 at various concentrations. Formulations B and C alone were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 5b.

                  TABLE 5b                                                         ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate                                                           rate % Inhibition                                                            Spray composition                                                                            g a.e./ha ABUTH    ECHCF SIDSP                                   ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 150       16       23    30                                         250 17 33 57                                                                   350 24 43 65                                                                  Formulation C 150 18 58 53                                                      250 30 71 79                                                                   350 49 83 94                                                                  Formulation B + 150 27 59 56                                                   Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 250 45 84 81                                           350 55 82 91                                                                  Formulation B + 150 17 43 56                                                   Fluorad FC-135 0.1% w/v 250 21 56 75                                            350 64 80 90                                                                  Formulation B + 150 22 27 38                                                   Fluorad FC-135 0.02% w/v 250 37 49 69                                           350 48 68 94                                                                  Formulation C + 150 41 41 59                                                   Fluorad FC-135 0.25% w/v 250 57 53 85                                           350 67 67 94                                                                  Formulation C + 150 26 39 67                                                   Fluorad FC-135 0.05% w/v 250 46 66 88                                           350 75 73 93                                                                  Formulation C + 150 30 52 66                                                   Fluorad FC-135 0.02% w/v 250 67 50 89                                           350 61 88 92                                                                  5-01 150 35 62 64                                                               250 63 77 90                                                                   350 71 83 85                                                                  5-02 150 35 44 67                                                               250 53 79 86                                                                   350 58 92 90                                                                  5-03 150 37 50 71                                                               250 53 76 90                                                                   350 73 63 97                                                                  5-04 150 29 46 61                                                               250 43 77 85                                                                   350 70 85 96                                                                  5-05 150 12 36 59                                                               250 43 55 83                                                                   350 53 77 87                                                                  5-06 150 19 69 67                                                               250 62 47 84                                                                   350 58 60 95                                                                  5-07 150 14 59 59                                                               250 39 63 75                                                                   350 46 77 91                                                                  5-08 150 36 37 64                                                               250 38 68 82                                                                   350 47 80 79                                                                  5-09 150  8 35 27                                                               250  9 51 56                                                                   350 36 58 67                                                                  5-10 150  5 33 24                                                               250 15 73 47                                                                   350 30 66 67                                                                  5-11 150 38 49 73                                                               250 62 75 89                                                                   350 71 75 98                                                                  5-12 150  7 41 21                                                               250 18 67 38                                                                   350 30 64 61                                                                  5-13 150 39 72 65                                                               250 65 55 76                                                                   350 70 68 90                                                                  5-14 150 51 53 66                                                               250 60 82 85                                                                   350 65 83 95                                                                  5-15 150 15 59 61                                                               250 31 54 83                                                                   350 57 67 84                                                                  5-16 150 36 79 66                                                               250 50 60 95                                                                   350 71 95 95                                                                  5-17 150 30 52 75                                                               250 54 60 84                                                                   350 48 84 93                                                                  5-18 150 43 75 69                                                               250 47 78 88                                                                   350 missing missing 90                                                        5-19 150 13 42 61                                                               250 29 51 79                                                                   350 42 69 90                                                                ______________________________________                                    

The inclusion of methyl caprate in a composition containing lecithin and Fluorad FC-135 improved efficacy on ECHCF and SIDSP (compare compositions 5-16 and 5-13).

Example 6

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 6a. All concentrate compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 or Brij 92 (oleth-2) as emulsifier #1 and a Span 80/Tween 80 blend as emulsifier #2.

                                      TABLE 6a                                     __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                                                 Span 80/                                                  Conc. Glyphosate Orchex Butyl Span 80 or Tween 80 % in inner aq. phase       comp.                                                                              a.e.  796 stearate                                                                           Brij 92                                                                             (45/55)                                                                             water                                                                              glyphosate                                     __________________________________________________________________________     6-01                                                                               0.4   20.7    0.3 (Span)                                                                          10.0 11.5                                                                               100                                              6-02 0.4  20.7 0.3 (Span) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-03 0.4 20.7  0.3 (Brij) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-04 0.4 20.3  9.8 (Span) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-05 0.4  20.3 0.8 (Span) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-06 0.4 20.3  0.8 (Brij) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-07 0.4 19.5  1.5 (Span) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-08 0.4  19.5 1.5 (Span) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-09 0.4 19.5  1.5 (Brij) 10.0 11.5 100                                        6-10 0.4 20.0  5.0 (Span) 2.3 35.7 100                                         6-11 0.4 18.0  3.0 (Span) 5.0 11.5 100                                         6-12 0.8 18.0  3.0 (Span) 5.0 11.5 100                                         6-13 1.6 18.0  3.0 (Span) 5.0 11.5 100                                         6-14 3.2 18.0  3.0 (Span) 5.0 11.5 100                                         6-15 2.7 18.0  3.0 (Span) 5.0 11.5  30                                         6-16 5.3 18.0  3.0 (Span) 5.0 11.5  30                                         6-17 10.7 18.0  3.0 (Span) 5.0 11.5  30                                        6-18 0.4 18.0  3.0 (Span) 2.3 11.5 100                                       __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH and 17 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 6b.

                  TABLE 6b                                                         ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation C                                                                                56           5       45                                             112 20 60                                                                      224 79 84                                                                      448 97 95                                                                     Formulation J  56 29 58                                                         112 43 63                                                                      224 79 96                                                                      448 97 99                                                                     6-01 112 48 48                                                                  224 79 79                                                                      448 95 95                                                                     6-02 112 65 65                                                                  224 93 93                                                                      448 96 96                                                                     6-03 112  3  3                                                                  224 30 30                                                                      448 71 71                                                                     6-04 112 35 35                                                                  224 79 79                                                                      448 90 90                                                                     6-05 112 55 65                                                                  224 85 91                                                                      448 98 95                                                                     6-06 112 38 63                                                                  224 68 88                                                                      448 85 98                                                                     6-07 112 30 63                                                                  224 60 76                                                                      448 74 86                                                                     6-08 112 45 75                                                                  224 95 96                                                                      448 99 98                                                                     6-09 112 36 70                                                                  224 69 71                                                                      448 97 99                                                                     6-10 112 15 55                                                                  224 55 78                                                                      448 79 90                                                                     6-11 112 11 23                                                                  224 55 78                                                                      448 80 95                                                                     6-12 112  0 23                                                                  224 40 20                                                                      448 55 78                                                                     6-13 112  1 35                                                                  224 15 25                                                                      448 55 38                                                                     6-14 112  0 23                                                                  224  0 23                                                                      448 25 50                                                                     6-15 112 30 40                                                                  224 58 75                                                                      448 73 92                                                                     6-16 112  8 43                                                                  224 64 55                                                                      448 87 84                                                                     6-17 112 83 97                                                                  224 99 100                                                                     448 100  100                                                                  6-18 112 35 43                                                                  224 60 60                                                                      448 93 88                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Significantly greater herbicidal effectiveness was obtained with compositions using butyl stearate as the oil (6-02, 6-05, 6-08) than with counterparts using Orchex 796 (6-01, 6-04, 6-07).

Example 7

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 7a. All concentrate compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1 and a Span 80/Tween 80 blend as emulsifier #2.

                  TABLE 7a                                                         ______________________________________                                         % w/w                     % in inner                                           Gly-                     Span 80/ aq. phase                                    Conc. phosate Orchex  Butyl Span Tween 80    gly-                                comp. a.e. 796 stearate 80 (45/55) water phosate                             ______________________________________                                         7-01  10.7    18.0          3.0  5.0    12.2 30                                  7-02 10.7 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                7-03 10.7 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                7-04 10.7 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 38                                                7-05 13.7 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 30                                                7-06 13.7 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                7-07 13.7 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                7-08 20.5 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                7-09 20.5 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                7-10 10.7  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 30                                                7-11 10.7  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                7-12 10.7  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                7-13 10.7  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 38                                                7-14 13.7  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 30                                                7-15 13.7  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                7-16 13.7  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                7-17 20.5  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                7-18 20.5  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                              ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 13 days after planting ABUTH and 16 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 7b.

                  TABLE 7b                                                         ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation C                                                                                50           1       11                                             100 35 45                                                                      200 46 63                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    Formulation J  50  5 14                                                         100 33 40                                                                      200 70 83                                                                      400 93 95                                                                     7-01 100 missing missing                                                        200 missing missing                                                            400 missing missing                                                           7-02 100 missing missing                                                        200 missing missing                                                            400 missing missing                                                           7-03 100  5  0                                                                  200 58 45                                                                      400 75 78                                                                     7-04 100 missing missing                                                        200 missing missing                                                            400 missing missing                                                           7-05 100 missing missing                                                        200 missing missing                                                            400 missing missing                                                           7-06 100  6  5                                                                  200 30 35                                                                      400 75 73                                                                     7-07 100  1  5                                                                  200 53 38                                                                      400 75 78                                                                     7-08 100  8  5                                                                  200 38 20                                                                      400 75 53                                                                     7-09 100 11 10                                                                  200 59 40                                                                      400 78 65                                                                     7-10 100 14 28                                                                  200 36 30                                                                      400 74 75                                                                     7-11 100  5  5                                                                  200 30 40                                                                      400 70 55                                                                     7-12 100  4  5                                                                  200  9 25                                                                      400 74 46                                                                     7-13 100  5  4                                                                  200 39 23                                                                      400 76 60                                                                     7-14 100 10  5                                                                  200 38 49                                                                      400 76 83                                                                     7-15 100 11 20                                                                  200 51 43                                                                      400 80 78                                                                     7-16 100 14 20                                                                  200 50 43                                                                      400 86 84                                                                     7-17 100 23 25                                                                  200 65 53                                                                      400 78 79                                                                     7-18 100 23 10                                                                  200 48 40                                                                      400 78 81                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Many compositions having butyl stearate as the oil showed greater herbicidal effectiveness than their counterparts having Orchex 796 as the oil.

Example 8

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 8a. Process (iv) was followed for all compositions, using soybean lecithin (20% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 8a                                                         ______________________________________                                         Gly-        % w/w                                                              Concentrate                                                                            phosate         Aerosol                                                                              MON  FC-  Methyl                                   composition g a.e./l Lecithin OT 0818 754 caprate PVA                        ______________________________________                                         8-01    200     2.0           0.25                                               8-02 300 3.0  0.50                                                             8-03 300 3.0  0.50   2.0                                                       8-04 200 2.0  0.25   1.5                                                       8-05 200 2.0  0.25  1.0 1.0                                                    8-06 200 2.0  0.25  1.0 1.0                                                    8-07 200 2.0  0.25 2.0                                                         8-08 200  2.0 0.25                                                             8-09 300  3.0 0.50                                                             8-10 300  3.0 0.50   2.0                                                       8-11 200  2.0 0.25   1.5                                                       8-12 200  2.0 0.25  1.0                                                        8-13 200  2.0 0.25  1.0                                                        8-14 200  2.0 0.25  1.0 1.5                                                    8-15 200  2.0 0.25 2.0                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and 13 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Compositions containing PVA were too viscous to spray and were not tested for herbicidal effectiveness. Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 8b.

                  TABLE 8b                                                         ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               112           5        4                                             224 48  8                                                                      336 73 20                                                                      448 94 50                                                                     Formulation C 112 30 45                                                         224 91 81                                                                      336 98 81                                                                      448 100  99                                                                   Formulation J 112 50 35                                                         224 80 65                                                                      336 97 88                                                                      448 100  90                                                                   8-01 112 11  8                                                                  224 50 40                                                                      336 71 61                                                                      448 93 78                                                                     8-02 112  5  6                                                                  224 64 58                                                                      336 78 60                                                                      448 84 65                                                                     8-07 112  5  3                                                                  224 46 38                                                                      336 73 83                                                                      448 93 66                                                                     8-08 112  8 13                                                                  224 43 46                                                                      336 73 65                                                                      448 83 70                                                                     8-09 112  1  5                                                                  224 23 25                                                                      336 65 33                                                                      448 91 58                                                                     8-12 112  0  5                                                                  224 58 48                                                                      336 73 63                                                                      448 91 63                                                                     8-13 112  0 10                                                                  224 53 38                                                                      336 73 45                                                                      448 88 50                                                                     8-15 112 28 10                                                                  224 50 53                                                                      336 80 63                                                                      448 88 91                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Concentrate compositions containing lecithin and methyl caprate did not exhibit herbicidal effectiveness equal to that of the commercial standards in this test.

Example 9

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 9a. All concentrate compositions were water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1 and a Span 80/Tween 80 blend as emulsifier #2.

                                      TABLE 9a                                     __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                                                  Span 80/                                                 Concentrate Glyphosate Butyl Methyl  Tween 80 % in inner aq. phase           composition                                                                          a.e.  stearate                                                                           oleate                                                                             Span 80                                                                            (45/55)                                                                             water                                                                              glyphosate                                    __________________________________________________________________________     9-01  6.9   12.0    3.0 5.0  18.8                                                                               50                                              9-02 6.9 12.0  3.0 5.0 18.8 20                                                 9-03 6.9 12.0  3.0 5.0 18.8  0                                                 9-04 13.8 12.0  3.0 5.0 18.8 20                                                9-05 13.8 12.0  3.0 5.0 18.8  0                                                9-06 30.0 12.0  3.0 5.0 18.8  0                                                9-07 20.5 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                9-08 20.5 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                9-09 13.8 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                9-10 13.8 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                9-11 6.9 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                 9-12 30.0 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2  0                                                9-13 6.9 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 50                                                 9-14 6.9 18.0  3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                 9-15 20.5  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                                9-16 13.8  18.0 3.0 5.0 12.2 20                                              __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 15 days after planting ABUTH and 17 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 9b.

                  TABLE 9b                                                         ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               224          20       30                                             336 49 40                                                                      448 66 48                                                                     Formulation C 224 73 80                                                         336 88 98                                                                      448 93 99                                                                     Formulation J 224 56 69                                                         336 83 85                                                                      448 88 90                                                                     9-01 224 55 35                                                                  336 73 66                                                                      448 80 78                                                                     9-02 224 55 45                                                                  336 70 60                                                                      448 83 79                                                                     9-03 224 45 40                                                                  336 75 76                                                                      448 78 83                                                                     9-04 224 40 58                                                                  336 65 68                                                                      448 84 98                                                                     9-05 224 53 55                                                                  336 75 85                                                                      448 79 88                                                                     9-06 224 49 69                                                                  336 69 76                                                                      448 83 98                                                                     9-07 224 38 45                                                                  336 58 63                                                                      448 73 75                                                                     9-08 224 40 48                                                                  336 40 40                                                                      448 55 55                                                                     9-09 224 63 53                                                                  336 74 78                                                                      448 79 83                                                                     9-10 224 68 48                                                                  336 73 73                                                                      448 88 83                                                                     9-11 224 68 46                                                                  336 80 80                                                                      448 85 97                                                                     9-12 224 50 54                                                                  336 71 58                                                                      448 76 79                                                                     9-13 224 71 65                                                                  336 81 87                                                                      448 85 89                                                                     9-14 224 66 58                                                                  336 75 75                                                                      448 78 86                                                                     9-15 224 54 49                                                                  336 50 65                                                                      448 75 75                                                                     9-16 224 10 30                                                                  336 44 43                                                                      448 54 45                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Butyl stearate provided herbicidal effectiveness equal or superior to methyl oleate when used as the oil in compositions of this Example.

Example 10

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 10a. All concentrate compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1 and either Tween 20 or a Span 80/Tween 80 blend as emulsifier #2.

                                      TABLE 10a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                                                   Span 80/                                                Conc. Glyphosate Butyl  Span Tween Tween 80 % in inner aq. phase             comp.                                                                              a.e.  stearate                                                                           Lecithin                                                                           80 20  (45/55)                                                                             water                                                                              glyphosate                                   __________________________________________________________________________     10-01                                                                              10.7  18.0    3.0                                                                               5.0      12.2                                                                               20                                             10-02 10.7 18.0 0.6 2.4 5.0  12.2 20                                           10-03 10.7 18.0 1.5 1.5 5.0  12.2 20                                           10-04 10.7 18.0 2.4 0.6 5.0  12.2 20                                           10-05 10.7 18.0  3.0 3.0  12.2 20                                              10-06 10.7 18.0 0.6 2.4 3.0  12.2 20                                           10-07 10.7 18.0 1.5 1.5 3.0  12.2 20                                           10-08 10.7 18.0 2.4 0.6 3.0  12.2 20                                           10-09 10.7 7.5  3.0 5.0  5.3 20                                                10-10 10.7 7.5 0.6 2.4 5.0  5.3 20                                             10-11 10.7 7.5 1.5 1.5 5.0  5.3 20                                             10-12 10.7 7.5 2.4 0.6 5.0  5.3 20                                             10-13 10.7 7.5  3.0 3.0  5.3 20                                                10-14 10.7 7.5 0.6 2.4 3.0  5.3 20                                             10-15 10.7 7.5 1.5 1.5 3.0  5.3 20                                             10-16 10.7 7.5 2.4 0.6 3.0  5.3 20                                             10-17 10.7 18.0  3.0  5.0 12.2 20                                              10-18 10.7 18.0  3.0  5.0 12.2 20                                            __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and 16 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 10b.

                  TABLE 10b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                              Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100         3         10                                             200 27 20                                                                      300 48 40                                                                      400 68 43                                                                     Formulation C 100 20 50                                                         200 50 67                                                                      300 73 83                                                                      400 82 99                                                                     Formulation J 100 22 30                                                         200 50 57                                                                      300 65 72                                                                      400 88 98                                                                     10-01 100 17 40                                                                 200 55 72                                                                      300 67 75                                                                      400 80 63                                                                     10-02 100 12 33                                                                 200 53 47                                                                      300 72 67                                                                      400 77 70                                                                     10-03 100 0 15                                                                  200 0 33                                                                       300 15 43                                                                      400 40 47                                                                     10-04 100 2 12                                                                  200 13 27                                                                      300 23 33                                                                      400 27 52                                                                     10-05 100 8 43                                                                  200 43 40                                                                      300 73 53                                                                      400 73 90                                                                     10-06 100 10 37                                                                 200 33 75                                                                      300 63 63                                                                      400 83 87                                                                     10-07 100 5 33                                                                  200 33 60                                                                      300 57 80                                                                      400 75 75                                                                     10-08 100 27 37                                                                 200 33 75                                                                      300 50 95                                                                      400 73 99                                                                     10-09 112 5 33                                                                  224 47 43                                                                      336 53 80                                                                      448 73 96                                                                     10-10 100 0 20                                                                  200 10 30                                                                      300 47 47                                                                      400 47 68                                                                     10-11 100 0 40                                                                  200 #7 88                                                                      300 47 83                                                                      400 73 99                                                                     10-12 100 2 50                                                                  200 20 63                                                                      300 37 98                                                                      400 67 98                                                                     10-13 100 13 43                                                                 200 20 90                                                                      300 45 89                                                                      400 65 99                                                                     10-14 100 2 40                                                                  200 33 77                                                                      300 47 99                                                                      400 60 98                                                                     10-15 100 2 57                                                                  200 23 77                                                                      300 60 90                                                                      400 60 99                                                                     10-16 100 13 68                                                                 200 23 91                                                                      300 40 77                                                                      400 73 97                                                                     10-17 100 0 37                                                                  200 17 78                                                                      300 40 86                                                                      400 50 85                                                                     10-18 100 0 30                                                                  200 15 50                                                                      300 37 83                                                                      400 50 84                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Several compositions containing lecithin and butyl stearate outperformed commercial standard Formulations C and J on ECHCF, but not on ABUTH, in this test.

Example 11

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 11a. These compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi) described above, except that method of agitation was varied as indicated below.

                                      TABLE 11a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                     Method of                            Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Emuls.                                                                             Emuls.                                                                             Emulsifier                                                                               Emulsifier  agitation                              comp. sate a.e. stearate #1 #2 #1 #2 (*)                                     __________________________________________________________________________     11-01                                                                              10.7                                                                               18.0                                                                               3.0 5.0 Span 80/lecithin (1:4)                                                                   Tween 20                                           11-02 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Tween 20                                       11-03 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Tween 20                                       11-04 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80/lecithin (1:4) Tween 20                        11-05 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80/lecithin (1:4) Tween 20                        11-06 10.0 19.5 1.5 2.5 Pluronic L-81 Pluronic L-84                            11-07 10.0 19.9 1.3 3.8 Pluronic L-81 Pluronic L-84                            11-08 10.0 19.9 1.3 3.8 Pluronic L-81 Pluronic L-43                            11-09 10.0 19.9 1.3 3.8 Pluronic L-81 Pluronic L-84                            11-10 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Tween 20 A                                     11-11 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Tween 20 B                                     11-12 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Tween 20 C                                     11-13 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Tween 20 D                                     11-14 20.5 21.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Span 80/Tween 80 (45/55) B                     11-15 13.8 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Span 80/Tween 80 (45/55) A                     11-16 20.5 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80 Span 80/Tween 80 (45/55) A                   __________________________________________________________________________      (*) Method of agitation:                                                       A Ultrasonic probe                                                             B Silverson coarse                                                             C Silverson fine                                                               D Ultrasonic probe, hand shaking                                         

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 21 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. The test was run twice. Results of the two tests, averaged within tests for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Tables 11b and 11c.

                  TABLE 11b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                              Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100         1         9                                              200 9 25                                                                       300 27 42                                                                      400 44 53                                                                     Formulation C 100 10 64                                                         200 59 89                                                                      300 87 96                                                                      400 90 100                                                                    Formulation J 100 5 28                                                          200 51 72                                                                      300 77 92                                                                      400 90 99                                                                     11-01 100 27 37                                                                 200 33 75                                                                      300 50 95                                                                      400 73 99                                                                     11-02 100 5 33                                                                  200 47 43                                                                      300 53 80                                                                      400 73 96                                                                     11-03 100 13 43                                                                 200 20 90                                                                      300 45 89                                                                      400 65 99                                                                     11-04 100 2 40                                                                  200 33 77                                                                      300 47 99                                                                      400 60 98                                                                     11-05 100 2 57                                                                  200 23 77                                                                      300 60 90                                                                      400 60 99                                                                     11-06 100 20 10                                                                 200 53 37                                                                      300 68 60                                                                      400 87 77                                                                     11-07 100 12 20                                                                 200 63 30                                                                      300 75 63                                                                      400 89 77                                                                     11-08 100 12 20                                                                 200 63 30                                                                      300 75 63                                                                      400 89 77                                                                     11-09 112 20 12                                                                 224 47 40                                                                      336 72 90                                                                      448 78 78                                                                     11-10 100 0 5                                                                   200 73 79                                                                      300 85 99                                                                      400 100 100                                                                   11-11 100 10 40                                                                 200 60 77                                                                      300 93 98                                                                      400 98 98                                                                     11-12 100 67 23                                                                 200 76 90                                                                      300 98 97                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    11-13 100 7 30                                                                  200 75 57                                                                      300 92 78                                                                      400 98 100                                                                    11-14 100 25 25                                                                 200 78 60                                                                      300 90 83                                                                      400 98 96                                                                     11-15 100 48 58                                                                 200 83 96                                                                      300 99 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                   11-16 100 69 35                                                                 200 78 76                                                                      300 91 97                                                                      400 100 99                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 11c                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                              Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100         0         30                                             200 8 50                                                                       300 55 94                                                                      400 71 97                                                                     Formulation C 100 24 97                                                         200 63 100                                                                     300 80 100                                                                     400 96 100                                                                    Formulation J 100 29 100                                                        200 55 99                                                                      300 83 100                                                                     400 97 100                                                                    11-01 100 4 82                                                                  200 35 100                                                                     300 60 99                                                                      400 74 100                                                                    11-02 100 1 85                                                                  200 35 100                                                                     300 58 100                                                                     400 78 100                                                                    11-03 100 0 63                                                                  200 25 100                                                                     300 58 100                                                                     400 81 100                                                                    11-04 100 1 71                                                                  200 15 98                                                                      300 61 100                                                                     400 75 100                                                                    11-05 100 30 81                                                                 200 35 100                                                                     300 50 100                                                                     400 76 100                                                                    11-06 100 0 85                                                                  200 55 99                                                                      300 78 100                                                                     400 85 100                                                                    11-07 100 9 90                                                                  200 54 99                                                                      300 74 100                                                                     400 89 100                                                                    11-08 100 0 83                                                                  200 30 100                                                                     300 53 100                                                                     400 79 100                                                                    11-09 112 8 94                                                                  224 38 97                                                                      336 75 100                                                                     448 91 100                                                                    11-10 100 10 85                                                                 200 50 96                                                                      300 70 100                                                                     400 89 100                                                                    11-11 100 19 93                                                                 200 65 100                                                                     300 75 100                                                                     400 81 100                                                                    11-12 100 5 91                                                                  200 58 99                                                                      300 81 100                                                                     400 79 100                                                                    11-13 100 8 89                                                                  200 65 99                                                                      300 76 100                                                                     400 94 100                                                                    11-14 100 13 86                                                                 200 33 98                                                                      300 70 100                                                                     400 83 100                                                                    11-15 100 20 95                                                                 200 66 100                                                                     300 73 100                                                                     400 89 100                                                                    11-16 100 11 93                                                                 200 60 100                                                                     300 80 100                                                                     400 78 100                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Multiple emulsion compositions of this Example did not outperform the commercial standards.

Example 12

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 12a. All concentrate compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1 and Tween 20 as emulsifier #2. Compositions 12-04, 12-07, 12-09 and 12-11 were made using butyl stearate from four different suppliers.

                                      TABLE 12a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                              Span                                                                              Tween                                                                              % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Type of                                          comp.                                                                              a.e.  Oil                                                                               80 20  Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           oil                                              __________________________________________________________________________     12-01                                                                              10    18.0                                                                              3.0                                                                               5.0 12.1                                                                               20    butyl stearate                                     12-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.3 20 butyl stearate                                     12-03 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 20 butyl stearate                                    12-04 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 butyl stearate                                     12-05 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Exxate 700                                         12-06 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Exxate 1000                                        12-07 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 butyl stearate                                     12-08 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 butyl oleate                                       12-09 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 butyl stearate                                     12-10 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 isopropyl myristate                                12-11 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 butyl stearate                                     12-12 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 isopropyl palmitate                                12-13 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 butyl laurate                                      12-14 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 methyl laurate                                     12-15 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Exxol D-130                                        12-16 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Orchex 796                                         12-17 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 methyl oleate                                      12-18 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Isopar V                                           12-19 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 soybean oil                                      __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 15 days after planting ABUTH and 15 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 21 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 12b.

                  TABLE 12b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                              Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100         3         38                                             200 35 89                                                                      300 75 99                                                                      400 85 98                                                                     Formulation J 100 10 35                                                         200 65 84                                                                      300 87 100                                                                     400 94 100                                                                    12-01 100 5 35                                                                  200 55 75                                                                      300 78 85                                                                      400 88 98                                                                     12-02 100 0 35                                                                  200 43 89                                                                      300 82 98                                                                      400 95 99                                                                     12-03 100 15 50                                                                 200 63 95                                                                      300 79 98                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    12-04 100 4 45                                                                  200 68 79                                                                      300 90 93                                                                      400 99 97                                                                     12-05 100 1 30                                                                  200 40 70                                                                      300 70 97                                                                      400 89 100                                                                    12-06 100 3 35                                                                  200 38 75                                                                      300 70 92                                                                      400 84 100                                                                    12-07 100 20 53                                                                 200 76 96                                                                      300 84 99                                                                      400 95 99                                                                     12-08 100 5 25                                                                  200 45 81                                                                      300 79 94                                                                      400 89 99                                                                     12-09 100 0 35                                                                  200 58 96                                                                      300 81 100                                                                     400 89 100                                                                    12-10 100 15 8                                                                  200 40 65                                                                      300 68 84                                                                      400 81 99                                                                     12-11 100 15 68                                                                 200 53 83                                                                      300 85 99                                                                      400 94 100                                                                    12-12 100 18 28                                                                 200 55 86                                                                      300 78 85                                                                      400 99 98                                                                     12-13 100 6 35                                                                  200 48 83                                                                      300 69 88                                                                      400 81 97                                                                     12-14 100 13 30                                                                 200 50 91                                                                      300 78 99                                                                      400 84 100                                                                    12-15 100 6 23                                                                  200 35 87                                                                      300 73 96                                                                      400 86 96                                                                     12-16 100 8 38                                                                  200 36 45                                                                      300 70 99                                                                      400 87 99                                                                     12-17 100 8 75                                                                  200 40 96                                                                      300 69 98                                                                      400 84 98                                                                     12-18 100 3 38                                                                  200 25 87                                                                      300 48 94                                                                      400 70 91                                                                     12-19 100 0 40                                                                  200 20 97                                                                      300 64 100                                                                     400 78 100                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Compositions of this Example where the oil was not a fatty acid ester (12-05, 12-06, 12-15, 12-16, 12-18, 12-19) were less herbicidally effective than those containing a fatty acid ester.

Example 13

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 13a. All concentrate compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1.

                                      TABLE 13a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           Butyl                                                                              Span                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                     comp.                                                                              a.e.  stearate                                                                           80 #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #2                                             __________________________________________________________________________     13-01                                                                              10    18.0                                                                               3.0                                                                               5.0  12.1                                                                               20    Tween 20                                         13-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.3 20 Tween 20                                           13-03 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tween 20                                           13-04 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tween 40                                           13-05 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-9                                        13-06 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-12                                       13-07 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                   13-08 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Myrj 52                                            13-09 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Myrj 59                                            13-10 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Toximul 8240                                       13-11 15 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tween 20                                           13-12 15 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tween 40                                           13-13 15 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-9                                        13-14 15 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-12                                       13-15 15 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                   13-16 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tween 80                                           13-17 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Tergitol 15-S-15                                   13-18 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-20                                     __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and 15 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 21 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 13b.

                  TABLE 13b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                              Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100         3         28                                             200 40 50                                                                      300 75 83                                                                      400 88 93                                                                     Formulation C 100 5 40                                                          200 51 94                                                                      300 80 100                                                                     400 95 100                                                                    Formulation J 100 25 79                                                         200 40 83                                                                      300 79 98                                                                      400 86 100                                                                    13-01 100 20 35                                                                 200 53 45                                                                      300 95 89                                                                      400 99 81                                                                     13-02 100 9 30                                                                  200 35 58                                                                      300 79 75                                                                      400 86 85                                                                     13-03 100 16 30                                                                 200 56 66                                                                      300 83 85                                                                      400 88 95                                                                     13-04 100 33 40                                                                 200 64 64                                                                      300 81 91                                                                      400 88 95                                                                     13-05 100 18 33                                                                 200 40 79                                                                      300 53 90                                                                      400 79 96                                                                     13-06 100 25 40                                                                 200 53 76                                                                      300 83 93                                                                      400 86 100                                                                    13-07 100 11 35                                                                 200 44 84                                                                      300 78 99                                                                      400 92 100                                                                    13-08 100 23 60                                                                 200 65 94                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 89 99                                                                     13-09 100 25 40                                                                 200 30 69                                                                      300 53 91                                                                      400 66 99                                                                     13-10 100 5 35                                                                  200 43 75                                                                      300 65 94                                                                      400 76 99                                                                     13-11 100 10 38                                                                 200 48 84                                                                      300 78 99                                                                      400 81 100                                                                    13-12 100 10 45                                                                 200 33 89                                                                      300 70 98                                                                      400 83 100                                                                    13-13 100 0 35                                                                  200 25 68                                                                      300 45 93                                                                      400 63 96                                                                     13-14 100 15 45                                                                 200 35 92                                                                      300 65 100                                                                     400 76 99                                                                     13-15 100 8 35                                                                  200 60 86                                                                      300 70 100                                                                     400 78 100                                                                    13-16 100 16 55                                                                 200 56 88                                                                      300 82 100                                                                     400 98 100                                                                    13-17 100 30 55                                                                 200 58 86                                                                      300 83 96                                                                      400 94 100                                                                    13-18 100 33 60                                                                 200 71 95                                                                      300 86 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Among the most effective compositions in this test were 13-08, 13-16, 13-17 and 13-18. The choice of emulsifier #2 had a significant effect on performance.

Example 14

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 14a. Concentrate compositions 14-01 to 14-17 are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Tween 20 as emulsifier #2. Concentrate composition 14-18 is an oil-in-water emulsion and was prepared by process (vii).

                                      TABLE 14a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           Butyl                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Tween                                                                              % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                    comp.                                                                              a.e.  stearate                                                                           #1   20  Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #1                                            __________________________________________________________________________     14-01                                                                              10    18.0                                                                               3.0  5.0 12.0                                                                               20    Span 80                                         14-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.3 20 Span 80                                            14-03 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 20 Span 80                                           14-04 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 80                                            14-05 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emid 6545                                          14-06 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emerest 2421                                       14-07 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2                                            14-08 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 65                                            14-09 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 85                                            14-10 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60                                            14-11 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Agrimer AL-30                                      14-12 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Agrimer AL-25                                      14-13 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Surfynol 104                                       14-14 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-3                                        14-15 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 91-2.5                                      14-16 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Ethomeen C/12                                      14-17 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Ethomeen T/12                                      14-18 10 7.5  10.0   none                                                    __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and 22 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 21 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 14b.

                  TABLE 14b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                              Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100         18        50                                             200 18 63                                                                      300 53 75                                                                      400 43 84                                                                     Formulation C 100 25 85                                                         200 48 96                                                                      300 78 100                                                                     400 86 100                                                                    Formulation J 100 35 92                                                         200 49 99                                                                      300 78 99                                                                      400 83 99                                                                     14-01 100 43 63                                                                 200 65 88                                                                      300 85 93                                                                      400 85 100                                                                    14-02 100 35 70                                                                 200 45 76                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 94 100                                                                    14-03 100 50 74                                                                 200 71 97                                                                      300 88 98                                                                      400 89 99                                                                     14-04 100 64 75                                                                 200 75 86                                                                      300 93 99                                                                      400 93 99                                                                     14-05 100 65 89                                                                 200 79 94                                                                      300 93 100                                                                     400 94 100                                                                    14-06 100 45 75                                                                 200 75 89                                                                      300 85 97                                                                      400 83 99                                                                     14-07 100 16 45                                                                 200 59 83                                                                      300 80 90                                                                      400 90 99                                                                     14-08 100 43 84                                                                 200 70 97                                                                      300 84 93                                                                      400 84 100                                                                    14-09 100 58 60                                                                 200 70 89                                                                      300 80 97                                                                      400 89 99                                                                     14-10 100 50 66                                                                 200 74 94                                                                      300 92 100                                                                     400 97 100                                                                    14-11 100 45 73                                                                 200 70 90                                                                      300 83 100                                                                     400 83 100                                                                    14-12 100 missing missing                                                       200 missing missing                                                            300 missing missing                                                            400 missing missing                                                           14-13 100 80 96                                                                 200 89 99                                                                      300 96 100                                                                     400 99 100                                                                    14-14 100 35 65                                                                 200 75 98                                                                      300 95 99                                                                      400 88 99                                                                     14-15 100 51 85                                                                 200 55 83                                                                      300 83 96                                                                      400 81 98                                                                     14-16 100 55 94                                                                 200 65 99                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 84 100                                                                    14-17 100 75 99                                                                 200 35 97                                                                      300 92 100                                                                     400 81 99                                                                     14-18 100 45 90                                                                 200 69 75                                                                      300 84 100                                                                     400 94 100                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Most compositions of this Example outperformed commercial standard Formulations C and J on ABUTH. Composition 14-13, using Surfynol 104 as emulsifier #1, was especially efficacious.

Example 15

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 15a. All concentrate compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi).

                                      TABLE 15a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     w/w                                                                            Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                                                          Emulsifier                                comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           #1   #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #1   #2                                        __________________________________________________________________________     15-01                                                                              10  18.0                                                                               3.0  5.0  12.1                                                                               20    Span 80                                                                             Tween 20                                    15-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.3 20 Span 80 Tween 20                                   15-03 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 20 Span 80 Tween 20                                  15-04 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 80 Tween 20                                   15-05 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2 Neodol 25-12                               15-06 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2 Neodol 25-20                               15-07 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2 Tween 20                                   15-08 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2 Tween 40                                   15-09 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2 Tween 80                                   15-10 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2 Tergitol 15-S-15                           15-11 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 oleth-2 Tergitol 15-S-20                           15-12 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60 Neodol 25-12                               15-13 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60 Neodol 25-20                               15-14 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60 Tween 20                                   15-15 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60 Tween 40                                   15-16 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60 Tween 80                                   15-17 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60 Tergitol 15-S-15                           15-18 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 60 Tergitol 15-S-20                         __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and 22 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 15b.

                  TABLE 15b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100           1       18                                             200 20 45                                                                      300 55 89                                                                      400 55 89                                                                     Formulation C 100  8 85                                                         200 35 89                                                                      300 76 95                                                                      400 85 98                                                                     Formulation J 100  6 80                                                         200 30 80                                                                      300 71 97                                                                      400 75 97                                                                     15-01 100 35 65                                                                 200 65 88                                                                      300 78 75                                                                      400 89 89                                                                     15-02 100 14 35                                                                 200 40 64                                                                      300 83 65                                                                      400 58 79                                                                     15-03 100 28 38                                                                 200 73 65                                                                      300 73 80                                                                      400 91 85                                                                     15-04 100 20 55                                                                 200 65 60                                                                      300 78 87                                                                      400 88 95                                                                     15-05 100 38 45                                                                 200 55 65                                                                      300 81 84                                                                      400 91 83                                                                     15-06 100 56 43                                                                 200 68 73                                                                      300 84 80                                                                      400 94 80                                                                     15-07 100 44 70                                                                 200 50 91                                                                      300 78 95                                                                      400 84 99                                                                     15-08 100 40 48                                                                 200 70 85                                                                      300 75 85                                                                      400 84 97                                                                     15-09 100 53 65                                                                 200 73 66                                                                      300 83 75                                                                      400 84 91                                                                     15-10 100 20 35                                                                 200 60 55                                                                      300 76 86                                                                      400 84 83                                                                     15-11 100 35 54                                                                 200 70 55                                                                      300 83 79                                                                      400 95 86                                                                     15-12 100 35 55                                                                 200 66 74                                                                      300 79 84                                                                      400 95 96                                                                     15-13 100 38 60                                                                 200 74 66                                                                      300 78 91                                                                      400 93 90                                                                     15-14 100 34 43                                                                 200 88 69                                                                      300 78 92                                                                      400 95 92                                                                     15-15 100 11 25                                                                 200 45 58                                                                      300 53 81                                                                      400 83 87                                                                     15-16 100 30 53                                                                 200 85 92                                                                      300 79 89                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    15-17 100 28 48                                                                 200 66 78                                                                      300 74 78                                                                      400 88 86                                                                     15-18 100 18 40                                                                 200 63 83                                                                      300 76 79                                                                      400 81 95                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Several compositions of this Example outperformed commercial standard Formulations C and J on ABUTH.

Example 16

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 16a. All concentrate compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi).

                                      TABLE 16a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                                                            Emulsifier                              comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           #1   #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #1     #2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     16-01                                                                              10  18.0                                                                               3.0  5.0  13.8                                                                               20    Span 80                                                                               Tween 20                                  16-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.6 20 Span 80 Tween 20                                   16-03 10 6.0 3.0 10.0 8.0 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-12                          16-04 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 6.0 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-12                          16-05 10 9.0 3.0 10.0 4.0 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-12                          16-06 10 6.0 3.0 10.0 8.0 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-20                          16-07 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 6.0 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-20                          16-08 10 9.0 3.0 10.0 4.0 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-20                          16-09 10 6.0 3.0 10.0 8.0 0 Emerest 2421 Tergitol 15-S-15                      16-10 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 6.0 0 Emerest 2421 Tergitol 15-S-15                      16-11 10 9.0 3.0 10.0 4.0 0 Emerest 2421 Tergitol 15-S-15                      16-12 10 6.0 3.0 10.0 8.0 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-12                           16-13 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 6.0 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-12                           16-14 10 9.0 3.0 10.0 4.0 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-12                           16-15 10 6.0 3.0 10.0 8.0 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-20                           16-16 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 6.0 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-20                           16-17 10 9.0 3.0 10.0 4.0 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-20                           16-18 10 6.0 3.0 10.0 8.0 0 Neodol 25-3 Tergitol 15-S-15                     __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and 18 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 16b.

                  TABLE 16b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100          30       53                                             200 76 73                                                                      300 78 84                                                                      400 80 89                                                                     Formulation C 100  5 60                                                         200 69 85                                                                      300 78 94                                                                      400 96 99                                                                     Formulation J 100 38 55                                                         200 73 91                                                                      300 79 98                                                                      400 93 100                                                                    16-01 100  5 40                                                                 200 43 53                                                                      300 86 69                                                                      400 93 79                                                                     16-02 100 10 40                                                                 200 48 53                                                                      300 71 71                                                                      400 89 68                                                                     16-03 100 14 45                                                                 200 60 63                                                                      300 75 76                                                                      400 78 80                                                                     16-04 100 50 35                                                                 200 69 53                                                                      300 79 79                                                                      400 90 78                                                                     16-05 100 35 45                                                                 200 76 78                                                                      300 80 95                                                                      400 95 99                                                                     16-06 100 23 55                                                                 200 70 76                                                                      300 80 95                                                                      400 94 98                                                                     16-07 100 35 66                                                                 200 74 93                                                                      300 83 95                                                                      400 96 99                                                                     16-08 100 35 40                                                                 200 71 83                                                                      300 81 97                                                                      400 93 99                                                                     16-09 100 45 33                                                                 200 63 74                                                                      300 78 85                                                                      400 95 85                                                                     16-10 100 20 35                                                                 200 71 55                                                                      300 78 83                                                                      400 85 88                                                                     16-11 100 23 40                                                                 200 66 63                                                                      300 75 79                                                                      400 86 87                                                                     16-12 100 20 40                                                                 200 66 58                                                                      300 78 70                                                                      400 93 93                                                                     16-13 100 20 71                                                                 200 69 75                                                                      300 78 97                                                                      400 86 97                                                                     16-14 100 18 45                                                                 200 73 80                                                                      300 83 92                                                                      400 90 97                                                                     16-15 100 23 45                                                                 200 71 78                                                                      300 80 98                                                                      400 91 100                                                                    16-16 100 25 73                                                                 200 74 81                                                                      300 99 91                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    16-17 100 38 50                                                                 200 76 83                                                                      300 90 85                                                                      400 98 89                                                                     16-18 100 23 40                                                                 200 61 79                                                                      300 83 93                                                                      400 88 90                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

None of the multiple emulsion compositions of this Example outperformed both commercial standards in this study.

Example 17

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 17a. All are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1. Different mixing devices were used in making the water-in-oil emulsion and the finished multiple emulsion as indicated in the column headed "Process".

                                      TABLE 17a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Span                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Emulsifier  % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Process                              comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           80 #2   #2          Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           (*)                                  __________________________________________________________________________       17-01 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Tween 20 13.8 30 A                                     17-02 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Tween 20 13.8 30 B                                     17-03 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Tween 20 13.8 30 C                                     17-04 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Tween 20 13.8 30 D                                     17-05 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Tween 20 13.8 30 E                                     17-06 6.9 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80/Tween 80 (45/55) 13.8 0 A                       17-07 13.8 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80/Tween 80 (45/55) 13.8 0 A                      17-08 20.5 18.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80/Tween 80 (45/55) 13.8 0 A                      17-09 20.5 24.0 3.0 5.0 Span 80/Tween 80 (45/55) 4.6 0 C                       17-10 10.7 18.0 3.0 5.0 Tween 20 13.8 20 A                                     17-11 10.0 18.0 3.0 12.0 Tween 20 15.5 20 A                                  __________________________________________________________________________     (*) Process:     W/O preparation                                                                               W/O/W preparation                              __________________________________________________________________________       A Ultrasonic probe Ultrasonic probe                                            B Turrax medium speed Turrax low speed                                         C Silverson coarse Silverson coarse                                            D Silverson fine Silverson fine                                                E Silverson fine Silverson coarse                                            __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 20 days after planting ABUTH and 22 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 17b.

                  TABLE 17b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               100          23       83                                             200 60 93                                                                      300 48 99                                                                      400 75 97                                                                     Formulation C 100 45 94                                                         200 71 93                                                                      300 88 99                                                                      400 100   100                                                                 Formulation J 100 10 89                                                         200 73 93                                                                      300 78 100                                                                     400 96 98                                                                     17-01 100 25 68                                                                 200 65 86                                                                      300 80 98                                                                      400 97 99                                                                     17-02 100 45 84                                                                 200 70 90                                                                      300 78 100                                                                     400 98 100                                                                    17-03 100 63 79                                                                 200 78 95                                                                      300 83 100                                                                     400 97 100                                                                    17-04 100 65 86                                                                 200 70 88                                                                      300 84 96                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    17-05 100 43 84                                                                 200 76 85                                                                      300 94 98                                                                      400 92 100                                                                    17-06 100 73 83                                                                 200 85 98                                                                      300 96 99                                                                      400 99 98                                                                     17-07 100 48 81                                                                 200 78 95                                                                      300 93 98                                                                      400 100  100                                                                  17-08 100 60 75                                                                 200 74 97                                                                      300 88 93                                                                      400 97 98                                                                     17-09 100 51 63                                                                 200 68 89                                                                      300 79 89                                                                      400 91 98                                                                     17-10 100 24 53                                                                 200 68 89                                                                      300 73 83                                                                      400 95 91                                                                     17-11 100 33 58                                                                 200 70 94                                                                      300 84 82                                                                      400 93 93                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The choice of mixing device in preparation of multiple emulsion compositions 17-01 to 17-05 appeared to have some effect on herbicidal effectiveness in this study.

Example 18

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 18a. Concentrate compositions 18-01 to 18-15 are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi). Concentrate compositions 18-16 and 18-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                                      TABLE 18a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                                                            Emulsifier                              comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           #1   #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #1     #2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     18-01                                                                              10  18.0                                                                               3.0  5.0  12.0                                                                               20    Span 80                                                                               Tween 20                                  18-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.3 20 Span 80 Tween 20                                   18-03 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 80 Tween 20                                   18-04 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-12                          18-05 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emerest 2421 Neodol 25-20                          18-06 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emerest 2421 Tergitol 15-S-15                      18-07 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emid 6545 Neodol 25-12                             18-08 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emid 6545 Neodol 25-20                             18-09 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Emid 6545 Tergitol 15-S-15                         18-10 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-12                           18-11 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-3 Neodol 25-20                           18-12 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Neodol 25-3 Tergitol 15-S-15                       18-13 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 80 Neodol 25-12                               18-14 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 80 Neodol 25-20                               18-15 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 5.7 0 Span 80 Tergitol 15-S-15                           18-16 10 7.5  10.0   none Neodol 25-12                                         18-17 10 7.5  10.0   none Neodol 25-20                                       __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and 18 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 17 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 18b.

                  TABLE 18b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0       28                                             250 20 41                                                                      350 41 72                                                                      450 70 85                                                                     Formulation C 150 55 83                                                         250 88 100                                                                     350 99 100                                                                     450 100  100                                                                  Formulation J 150 43 63                                                         250 88 100                                                                     350 94 100                                                                     450 99 100                                                                    18-01 150 82 81                                                                 250 76 90                                                                      350 98 95                                                                      450 100  100                                                                  18-02 150 23 59                                                                 250 67 92                                                                      350 91 100                                                                     450 97 98                                                                     18-03 150 40 59                                                                 250 85 99                                                                      350 94 99                                                                      450 100  100                                                                  18-04 150 41 55                                                                 250 83 97                                                                      350 90 99                                                                      450 94 99                                                                     18-05 150 49 80                                                                 250 84 85                                                                      350 94 99                                                                      450 99 100                                                                    18-06 150 38 57                                                                 250 78 93                                                                      350 94 99                                                                      450 98 97                                                                     18-07 150 57 69                                                                 250 83 95                                                                      350 95 99                                                                      450 100  96                                                                   18-08 150 52 67                                                                 250 83 96                                                                      350 93 100                                                                     450 99 100                                                                    18-09 150 45 71                                                                 250 80 89                                                                      350 89 97                                                                      450 97 100                                                                    18-10 150 59 65                                                                 250 87 89                                                                      350 95 98                                                                      450 97 94                                                                     18-11 150 73 74                                                                 250 91 91                                                                      350 98 99                                                                      450 100  100                                                                  18-12 150 57 71                                                                 250 85 89                                                                      350 95 99                                                                      450 100  99                                                                   18-13 150 45 72                                                                 250 87 87                                                                      350 90 95                                                                      450 96 100                                                                    18-14 150 45 85                                                                 250 89 99                                                                      350 96 99                                                                      450 98 100                                                                    18-15 150 40 83                                                                 250 83 98                                                                      350 93 99                                                                      450 96 100                                                                    18-16 150 65 79                                                                 250 87 99                                                                      350 96 99                                                                      450 100  100                                                                  18-17 150 59 80                                                                 250 95 86                                                                      350 100  99                                                                    450 100  100                                                                ______________________________________                                    

Simple emulsion compositions of this example containing butyl stearate (18-16 and 18-17) exhibited herbicidal effectiveness at least equal to multiple emulsion compositions having the same emulsifier #2.

Example 19

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 19a. These compositions are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi) described above.

                                      TABLE 19a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                                                            Emulsifier                              comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           #1   #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #1     #2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     19-01                                                                              10  18.0                                                                               3.0  5.0  9.0 20    Span 80                                                                               Tween 20                                  19-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 4.5 20 Span 80 Tween 20                                   19-03 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Surfynol 104 Neodol 25-12                          19-04 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Surfynol 104 Neodol 25-20                          19-05 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Surfynol 104 Tergitol 15-S-15                      19-06 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Surfynol 104 Tergitol 15-S-20                      19-07 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Surfynol 104 Tween 20                              19-08 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Surfynol 104 ceteareth-55                          19-09 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Surfynol 104 Tergitol 15-S-30                      19-10 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Neodol 25-3 ceteareth-55                           19-11 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Neodol 25-3 Tergitol 15-S-30                       19-12 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Span 60 ceteareth-55                               19-13 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Span 60 Tergitol 15-S-30                           19-14 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 oleth-2 ceteareth-55                               19-15 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 oleth-2 Tergitol 15-S-30                           19-16 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Emid 6545 ceteareth-55                             19-17 10 7.5 3.0 10.0 4.5 0 Emid 6545 Tergitol 15-S-30                       __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 35 days after planting ABUTH and 33 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 17 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 19b.

                  TABLE 19b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0        0                                             250 35 40                                                                      350 50 63                                                                      450 60 43                                                                     Formulation C 150 63 63                                                         250 80 96                                                                      350 92 98                                                                      450 98 87                                                                     Formulation J 150 43 30                                                         250 75 85                                                                      350 82 98                                                                      450 96 95                                                                     19-01 150 65 53                                                                 250 85 70                                                                      350 90 87                                                                      450 98 73                                                                     19-02 150 63  5                                                                 250 78 53                                                                      350 88 80                                                                      450 97 87                                                                     19-03 150 75  0                                                                 250 87 22                                                                      350 88 72                                                                      450 97 17                                                                     19-04 150 84  0                                                                 250 90 10                                                                      350 95 70                                                                      450 98 60                                                                     19-05 150 77  0                                                                 250 83  3                                                                      350 93 30                                                                      450 95 10                                                                     19-06 150 72  0                                                                 250 83 47                                                                      350 94 60                                                                      450 98 20                                                                     19-07 150 75  0                                                                 250 77 40                                                                      350 96 47                                                                      450 96 50                                                                     19-08 150 87 40                                                                 250 97 82                                                                      350 99 83                                                                      450 100  77                                                                   19-09 150 82 10                                                                 250 82 40                                                                      350 96 67                                                                      450 97 67                                                                     19-10 150 82 13                                                                 250 94 83                                                                      350 99 85                                                                      450 99 83                                                                     19-11 150 73 17                                                                 250 83 60                                                                      350 88 73                                                                      450 96 63                                                                     19-12 150 80 20                                                                 250 93 85                                                                      350 96 82                                                                      450 96 82                                                                     19-13 150 78 20                                                                 250 83 50                                                                      350 92 90                                                                      450 92 85                                                                     19-14 150 80 30                                                                 250 97 85                                                                      350 99 99                                                                      450 97 96                                                                     19-15 150 82 30                                                                 250 87 75                                                                      350 99 92                                                                      450 99 93                                                                     19-16 150 82 53                                                                 250 96 82                                                                      350 96 97                                                                      450 87 82                                                                     19-17 150 72 20                                                                 250 80 63                                                                      350 92 75                                                                      450 95 87                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Considerable variation was seen in herbicidal effectiveness of water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions of this Example, especially on ECHCF. Among the most efficacious were 19-08, 19-10, 19-12, 19-14 and 19-16. All of these contained a C₁₆ -₁₈ alkylether surfactant, ceteareth-55. When Tergitol 1 5-S-30, a C₁₂ -₁₅ secondary alkylether surfactant, replaced ceteareth-55, as in 19-09, 19-11, 19-13, 19-15 and 19-17, herbicidal effectiveness, at least on ECHCF, was in most cases markedly reduced.

Example 20

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 20a. Concentrate compositions 20-01 and 20-02 are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1. Concentrate compositions 20-03 to 20-12 and 20-14 to 20-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate composition 20-13 is an aqueous solution concentrate and was prepared by process (viii), the component indicated below as "emulsifier #2" being the surfactant component.

                                      TABLE 20a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl   Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. Phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                      comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           Span 80                                                                            #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #2                                              __________________________________________________________________________     20-01                                                                              10  18.0                                                                               3.0 5.0  12.2                                                                               20    Tween 20                                          20-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.3 20 Tween 20                                           20-03 10 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              20-04 10 3.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              20-05 10 1.0  5.0   Neodol 25-20                                               20-06 10 3.0  5.0   Neodol 25-20                                               20-07 15 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              20-08 15 3.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              20-09 15 1.0  5.0   Neodol 25-20                                               20-10 15 3.0  5.0   Neodol 25-20                                               20-11 20 1.0  5.0   Neodol 25-20                                               20-12 20 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              20-13 10   10.0   Neodol 25-20                                                 20-14 10 7.5  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              20-15 10 7.5  10.0   Neodol 25-12                                              20-16 10 7.5  10.0   steareth-20                                               20-17 10 7.5  10.0   oleth-20                                                __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and 19 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 20b.

                  TABLE 20b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0       30                                             250 10 40                                                                      350 37 73                                                                      450 58 68                                                                     Formulation C 150 42 79                                                         250 77 98                                                                      350 99 97                                                                      450 97 93                                                                     Formulation J 150 43 67                                                         250 73 90                                                                      350 94 98                                                                      450 77 78                                                                     20-01 150 58 76                                                                 250 75 77                                                                      350 88 93                                                                      450 95 83                                                                     20-02 150 27 63                                                                 250 60 87                                                                      350 82 98                                                                      450 77 92                                                                     20-03 150 47 76                                                                 250 65 92                                                                      350 94 99                                                                      450 95 91                                                                     20-04 150 70 86                                                                 250 86 95                                                                      350 97 98                                                                      450 99 90                                                                     20-05 150 42 80                                                                 250 72 90                                                                      350 90 93                                                                      450 99 96                                                                     20-06 150 48 57                                                                 250 78 92                                                                      350 94 99                                                                      450 96 92                                                                     20-07 150 78 95                                                                 250 96 96                                                                      350 98 98                                                                      450 100  97                                                                   20-08 150 88 96                                                                 250 98 98                                                                      350 100  99                                                                    450 100  99                                                                   20-09 150 82 93                                                                 250 94 96                                                                      350 99 97                                                                      450 99 93                                                                     20-10 150 72 83                                                                 250 97 93                                                                      350 99 100                                                                     450 100  98                                                                   20-11 150 87 83                                                                 250 98 97                                                                      350 100  99                                                                    450 100  99                                                                   20-12 150 93 99                                                                 250 99 99                                                                      350 99 97                                                                      450 100  99                                                                   20-13 150 70 90                                                                 250 91 88                                                                      350 97 94                                                                      450 99 86                                                                     20-14 150 67 76                                                                 250 93 80                                                                      350 98 95                                                                      450 95 78                                                                     20-15 150 68 65                                                                 250 90 87                                                                      350 97 80                                                                      450 98 93                                                                     20-16 150 83 73                                                                 250 90 93                                                                      350 99 100                                                                     450 100  100                                                                  20-17 150 80 66                                                                 250 98 77                                                                      350 99 83                                                                      450 100  85                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Very high herbicidal activity was evident in compositions 20-13 to 20-17, which have a very high ratio of surfactant to glyphosate a.e. of 1:1. Activity was too high to clearly distinguish among these compositions, but 20-16 and 20-17, containing steareth-20 and oleth-20 respectively, exbited greater effectiveness on ABUTH at the lowest glyphosate rate than 20-14 and 20-15, containing Neodol 25-20 and Neodol 25-12 respectively.

Example 21

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 21a. Concentrate compositions 21-01 and 21-02 are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1. Concentrate compositions 21-03 to 21-12 and 21-14 to 21-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate composition 21-13 is an aqueous solution concentrate and was prepared by process (viii), the component indicated below as "emulsifier #2" being the surfactant component.

                                      TABLE 21a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl   Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                      comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           Span 80                                                                            #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #2                                              __________________________________________________________________________     21-01                                                                              10  18.0                                                                               3.0 5.0  12.2                                                                               20    Tween 20                                          21-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0 5.3 20 Tween 20                                           21-03 10 1.0  10.0   Tween 80                                                  21-04 10 3.0  10.0   Tween 80                                                  21-05 10 1.0  5.0   Tween 80                                                   21-06 10 3.0  5.0   Tween 80                                                   21-07 15 1.0  10.0   Tween 80                                                  21-08 15 3.0  10.0   Tween 80                                                  21-09 15 1.0  5.0   Tween 80                                                   21-10 15 3.0  5.0   Tween 80                                                   21-11 20 1.0  5.0   Tween 80                                                   21-12 20 1.0  10.0   Tween 80                                                  21-13 10   10.0   Tween 80                                                     21-14 10 7.5  10.0   Tween 80                                                  21-15 10 7.5  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              21-16 10 7.5  10.0   steareth-20                                               21-17 10 7.5  10.0   oleth-20                                                __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and 19 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 21b.

                  TABLE 21b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0        0                                             250  3 10                                                                      350 17 20                                                                      450 20 30                                                                     Formulation C 150 70 33                                                         250 80 70                                                                      350 85 80                                                                      450 97 77                                                                     Formulation J 150  7 20                                                         250 70 80                                                                      350 78 80                                                                      450 83 80                                                                     21-01 150 40  7                                                                 250 48 20                                                                      350 73 23                                                                      450 75 30                                                                     21-02 150  3  0                                                                 250 10 17                                                                      350 47 23                                                                      450 50 30                                                                     21-03 150  0  2                                                                 250 33 13                                                                      350 63 40                                                                      450 68 43                                                                     21-04 150 17  7                                                                 250 43 20                                                                      350 78 63                                                                      450 78 63                                                                     21-05 150 10  3                                                                 250 20 13                                                                      350 58 40                                                                      450 75 40                                                                     21-06 150  3  0                                                                 250 27 20                                                                      350 60 23                                                                      450 72 23                                                                     21-07 150 32 10                                                                 250 68 20                                                                      350 75 50                                                                      450 86 60                                                                     21-08 150 27 20                                                                 250 68 30                                                                      350 82 40                                                                      450 90 73                                                                     21-09 150 43 10                                                                 250 60 33                                                                      350 72 63                                                                      450 75 73                                                                     21-10 150 33 10                                                                 250 62 30                                                                      350 77 60                                                                      450 83 70                                                                     21-11 150 48 13                                                                 250 72 63                                                                      350 83 80                                                                      450 87 80                                                                     21-12 150 23 13                                                                 250 60 50                                                                      350 75 80                                                                      450 86 78                                                                     21-13 150 32 13                                                                 250 47 40                                                                      350 75 50                                                                      450 78 70                                                                     21-14 150 27 20                                                                 250 75 53                                                                      350 82 70                                                                      450 92 67                                                                     21-15 150 70 20                                                                 250 78 30                                                                      350 92 80                                                                      450 93 80                                                                     21-16 150 68 40                                                                 250 73 30                                                                      350 93 80                                                                      450 93 77                                                                     21-17 150 73 20                                                                 250 85 30                                                                      350 93 60                                                                      450 95 63                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Compositions 21-16 and 21-17, containing steareth-20 and oleth-20 respectively, exhibited very high herbicidal activity on ABUTH. At the very high surfactant to glyphosate a.e. ratio (1:1) of these compositions, no difference was evident between these compositions and an otherwise similar composition (21-15) containing Neodol 25-20 in place of steareth-20 or oleth-20.

Example 22

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 22a. Concentrate compositions 22-01 and 22-02 are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1. Concentrate compositions 22-03 to 22-16 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                                      TABLE 22a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Concentrate                                                                          Glyphosate                                                                           Butyl                                                                              Span                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Aerosil                                                                            % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                               composition                                                                          a.e.  stearate                                                                           80 #2   90  Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #2                                       __________________________________________________________________________     22-01 10    18.0                                                                               3.0                                                                               5.0      12.2                                                                               20    Tween 20                                   22-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0  5.3 20 Tween 20                                          22-03 10 7.5  10.0    Tween 80                                                 22-04 15 7.5  10.0    Tween 80                                                 22-05 15 7.5  1.0 0.40   Tween 80                                              22-06 15 7.5   0.40                                                            22-07 15 7.5  5.0 0.40   Tween 80                                              22-08 15 7.5  10.0 0.25   Tween 80                                             22-09 30 15.0  10.0 0.80   Tween 80                                            22-10 15 3.0  10.0    Tween 80                                                 22-11 15 1.0  10.0    Tween 80                                                 22-12 30 7.5  10.0    Tween 80                                                 22-13 30 3.0  10.0    Tween 80                                                 22-14 30 1.0  10.0    Tween 80                                                 22-15 30 7.5  10.0 0.80   Tween 80                                             22-16 30 3.0  10.0 0.80   Tween 80                                           __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and 19 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 17 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 22b.

                  TABLE 22b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0        7                                             250  3 10                                                                      350 35 25                                                                      450 60 27                                                                     Formulation C 150 37 25                                                         250 65 60                                                                      350 80 78                                                                      450 86 88                                                                     Formulation J 150 23 25                                                         250 70 63                                                                      350 83 60                                                                      450 92 73                                                                     22-01 150 55 22                                                                 250 65 25                                                                      350 72 30                                                                      450 78 53                                                                     22-02 150 45 15                                                                 250 62 20                                                                      350 77 27                                                                      450 78 30                                                                     22-03 150 48 23                                                                 250 65 25                                                                      350 77 30                                                                      450 83 62                                                                     22-04 150 50 25                                                                 250 65 28                                                                      350 73 47                                                                      450 80 83                                                                     22-05 150 18 10                                                                 250 57 25                                                                      350 63 25                                                                      450 68 55                                                                     22-06 150  0 10                                                                 250 48 25                                                                      350 60 25                                                                      450 63 27                                                                     22-07 150 50 25                                                                 250 62 27                                                                      350 78 33                                                                      450 84 33                                                                     22-08 150 47 25                                                                 250 60 28                                                                      350 75 55                                                                      450 85 30                                                                     22-09 150 43 18                                                                 250 67 20                                                                      350 78 25                                                                      450 80 28                                                                     22-10 150 48 30                                                                 250 60 33                                                                      350 78 30                                                                      450 82 33                                                                     22-11 150 43 22                                                                 250 60 38                                                                      350 65 33                                                                      450 80 32                                                                     22-12 150 43 25                                                                 250 60 25                                                                      350 73 30                                                                      450 78 30                                                                     22-13 150 53 30                                                                 250 63 40                                                                      350 67 30                                                                      450 82 30                                                                     22-14 150 10 20                                                                 250 57 25                                                                      350 73 27                                                                      450 78 30                                                                     22-15 150 30 20                                                                 250 60 25                                                                      350 65 25                                                                      450 73 28                                                                     22-16 150 17 10                                                                 250 55 25                                                                      350 73 40                                                                      450 78 30                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

None of the emulsion compositions of this Example gave herbicidal effectiveness greater than obtained with the commercial standards.

Example 23

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 23a. Concentrate compositions 23-01 and 23-02 are water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsions and were prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1. Concentrate compositions 23-03 to 23-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                                      TABLE 23a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                     % in inner aq. phase                                 Concentrate                                                                          Glypho-                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Span                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          Aerosil Glypho-                                                                             Emulsifier                                    composition sate a.e. stearate 80 #2 90 Water sate #2                        __________________________________________________________________________     23-01 10  18.0                                                                               3.0                                                                               5.0      12.2                                                                               20   Tween 20                                      23-02 10 7.5 3.0 5.0  5.3 20 Tween 20                                          23-03 10 7.5  10.0    Neodol 25-20                                             23-04 15 7.5  10.0    Neodol 25-20                                             23-05 15 7.5  1.0 0.40   Neodol 25-20                                          23-06 15 7.5   0.40   Neodol 25-20                                             23-07 15 7.5  5.0 0.40   Neodol 25-20                                          23-08 15 7.5  10.0 0.25   Neodol 25-20                                         23-09 30 15.0  10.0 0.80   Neodol 25-20                                        23-10 15 3.0  10.0    Neodol 25-20                                             23-11 15 1.0  10.0    Neodol 25-20                                             23-12 15 7.5  5.0    Neodol 25-12                                              23-13 15 3.0  5.0    Neodol 25-12                                              23-14 10 3.0  5.0    Neodol 25-12                                              23-15 10 3.0  10.0    Neodol 25-12                                             23-16 10 7.5  10.0    Neodol 25-12                                             23-17 10 7.5  5.0    Neodol 25-12                                            __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above Applications of spray compositions were made 20 days after planting ABUTH and 22 days after planting ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 15 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 23b.

                  TABLE 23b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150          13        5                                             250 48 33                                                                      350 57 40                                                                      450 77 47                                                                     Formulation C 150 65 63                                                         250 83 80                                                                      350 96 95                                                                      450 96 96                                                                     Formulation J 150 50 57                                                         250 83 86                                                                      350 88 90                                                                      450 95 93                                                                     23-01 150 43 63                                                                 250 73 99                                                                      350 78 72                                                                      450 90 88                                                                     23-02 150 33 30                                                                 250 70 73                                                                      350 82 53                                                                      450 83 94                                                                     23-03 150 60 60                                                                 250 78 98                                                                      350 94 97                                                                      450 92 98                                                                     23-04 150 53 57                                                                 250 83 69                                                                      350 93 90                                                                      450 90 63                                                                     23-05 150 25 43                                                                 250 65 53                                                                      350 73 70                                                                      450 82 98                                                                     23-06 150 15 33                                                                 250 47 70                                                                      350 70 60                                                                      450 77 67                                                                     23-07 150 47 47                                                                 250 75 70                                                                      350 80 78                                                                      450 88 90                                                                     23-08 150 53 43                                                                 250 75 57                                                                      350 92 79                                                                      450 93 93                                                                     23-09 150 32 40                                                                 250 68 57                                                                      350 82 88                                                                      450 85 98                                                                     23-10 150 47 67                                                                 250 78 78                                                                      350 92 88                                                                      450 98 96                                                                     23-11 150 43 40                                                                 250 72 82                                                                      350 83 97                                                                      450 87 97                                                                     23-12 150 70 77                                                                 250 88 85                                                                      350 95 95                                                                      450 98 96                                                                     23-13 150 63 67                                                                 250 83 97                                                                      350 96 98                                                                      450 97 97                                                                     23-14 150 57 70                                                                 250 83 85                                                                      350 88 98                                                                      450 97 92                                                                     23-15 150 63 70                                                                 250 75 88                                                                      350 93 95                                                                      450 97 99                                                                     23-16 150 70 50                                                                 250 83 70                                                                      350 87 91                                                                      450 96 96                                                                     23-17 150 43 37                                                                 250 77 70                                                                      350 90 85                                                                      450 93 89                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The overall level of herbicidal effectiveness in this study was extremely high, making it difficult to determine if any of the emulsion compositions showed enhancement over the commercial standards.

Example 24

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 24a. All concentrate compositions are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                  TABLE 24a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl           Type of                                       composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         24-01   163        1.00    10.0    Tween 80                                      24-02 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 25-12                                               24-03 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 25-20                                               24-04 163 1.00 10.0 steareth-20                                                24-05 163 1.00 10.0 oleth-20                                                   24-06 163 1.00 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                           24-07 163 1.00 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-15                                           24-08 163 1.00 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                           24-09 163 0.50 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                           24-10 163 0.50 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-15                                           24-11 163 0.50 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                           24-12 163 0.50 5.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                            24-13 163 0.50 5.0 Tergitol 15-S-15                                            24-14 163 0.50 5.0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                            24-15 163 0.25 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                         ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 24b.

                  TABLE 24b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           2       20                                             250  2 30                                                                      350  5 53                                                                      450 45 75                                                                     Formulation C 150 45 63                                                         250 77 93                                                                      350 83 99                                                                      450 93 100                                                                    Formulation J 150 15 40                                                         250 70 73                                                                      350 78 98                                                                      450 92 99                                                                     24-01 150 42 50                                                                 250 72 89                                                                      350 80 96                                                                      450 93 98                                                                     24-02 150 45 80                                                                 250 72 83                                                                      350 85 91                                                                      450 97 98                                                                     24-03 150 60 80                                                                 250 75 87                                                                      350 82 96                                                                      450 86 99                                                                     24-04 150 65 60                                                                 250 82 70                                                                      350 93 80                                                                      450 98 87                                                                     24-05 150 72 60                                                                 250 83 87                                                                      350 95 93                                                                      450 98 97                                                                     24-06 150 50 45                                                                 250 68 70                                                                      350 77 85                                                                      450 83 90                                                                     24-07 150 25 40                                                                 250 65 50                                                                      350 80 77                                                                      450 83 80                                                                     24-08 150 37 33                                                                 250 72 80                                                                      350 77 87                                                                      450 80 90                                                                     24-09 150 32 47                                                                 250 65 73                                                                      350 77 75                                                                      450 80 94                                                                     24-10 150 17 30                                                                 250 65 70                                                                      350 75 70                                                                      450 78 89                                                                     24-11 150 35 33                                                                 250 68 68                                                                      350 77 77                                                                      450 92 75                                                                     24-12 150 13 35                                                                 250 57 40                                                                      350 75 57                                                                      450 77 83                                                                     24-13 150 35 40                                                                 250 63 43                                                                      350 77 77                                                                      450 83 75                                                                     24-14 150 30 25                                                                 250 67 53                                                                      350 78 85                                                                      450 83 77                                                                     24-15 150 13 37                                                                 250 65 50                                                                      350 77 57                                                                      450 87 82                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

At a surfactant to glyphosate a.e. weight/weight ratio of about 1:1.5, compositions containing steareth-20 or oleth-20 (24-04 and 24-05 respectively) exhibited herbicidal effectiveness on ABUTH similar to one containing Neodol 25-20 (24-03).

Example 25

Glyphosate-containing spray compositions were prepared by tank-mixing Formulations B and C with butyl stearate as shown in Table 25.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 17 days after application.

Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 25.

                  TABLE 25                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Glypho-            Addi-                                                Glyphosate sate rate  tive rate % Inhibition                                 composition                                                                             g a.e./ha                                                                               Additive  % v/v ABUTH  ECHCF                                 ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                           200      none            10     30                                       300   30 40                                                                    400   63 57                                                                   Formulation B 200 MON 0818 0.09 68 70                                           300   80 85                                                                    400   97 93                                                                   Formulation B 200 butyl stearate 0.005 75 86                                    300   80 96                                                                    400   83 97                                                                   Formulation B 200 butyl stearate 0.01 73 82                                     300   77 88                                                                    400   88 86                                                                   Formulation B 200 butyl stearate 0.05 65 82                                     300   78 82                                                                    400   94 96                                                                   Formulation B 200 butyl stearate 0.1 75 68                                      300   80 82                                                                    400   94 94                                                                   Formulation B 200 butyl stearate 0.2 75 70                                      300   83 73                                                                    400   95 96                                                                   Formulation B 200 butyl stearate 0.5 80 73                                      300   96 82                                                                    400   96 83                                                                   Formulation B 200 butyl stearate 1.0 90 82                                      300   93 85                                                                    400   97 87                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Surprisingly the addition of extremely low concentrations of butyl stearate to Formulation B greatly enhanced herbicidal effectiveness in this study.

Example 26

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 26a. Process (v) was followed for all compositions using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 26a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Concen-                                                                               % w/w                                                                   trate com-                                                                            Glypho- Leci-  Butyl Fluorad                                                                              MON  Ethomeen                                                                              Etha-                              position sate a.e. thin stearate FC-754 0818 T/25 nol                        ______________________________________                                         26-01  20      2.0    0.5              1.25   1.0                                26-02 20 2.0 0.5  1.00 1.00 1.0                                                26-03 20 2.0 0.5  1.25  1.0                                                    26-04 20 6.0 1.5   3.00 3.0                                                    26-05 20 6.0 1.5  2.00 2.00 2.0                                                26-06 20 6.0 1.5  3.00  3.0                                                    26-07 20 2.0 0.5   0.50                                                        26-08 20 2.0 0.5   2.50                                                        26-09 20 2.0 0.5  1.25 1.25                                                    26-10 20 6.0 1.5   0.50                                                        26-11 20 6.0 1.5   3.00                                                        26-12 20 6.0 1.5   6.00                                                        26-13 20 6.0 1.5  3.00 3.00                                                    26-14 20 2.0  2.0 0.50                                                         26-15 20 6.0  3.0 6.00                                                         26-16 20 6.0  6.0 6.00                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 15 days after application.

Formulation J was applied as a comparative treatment. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 26b.

                  TABLE 26b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation J                                                                               150          38       45                                             250 80 63                                                                      350 78 82                                                                      450 75 55                                                                     26-01 150 23 27                                                                 250 57 53                                                                      350 70 85                                                                      450 70 83                                                                     26-02 150  7 25                                                                 250 52 45                                                                      350 82 88                                                                      450 82 90                                                                     26-03 150 38 35                                                                 250 50 40                                                                      350 82 92                                                                      450 83 93                                                                     26-04 150 40 48                                                                 250 73 75                                                                      350 78 92                                                                      450 88 92                                                                     26-05 150 50 53                                                                 250 68 80                                                                      350 85 98                                                                      450 89 96                                                                     26-06 150 50 43                                                                 250 55 80                                                                      350 78 97                                                                      450 85 91                                                                     26-07 150  3 28                                                                 250 22 43                                                                      350 67 72                                                                      450 73 75                                                                     26-08 150 43 33                                                                 250 77 63                                                                      350 89 78                                                                      450 97 85                                                                     26-09 150 57 27                                                                 250 95 63                                                                      350 89 86                                                                      450 98 88                                                                     26-10 150 32 23                                                                 250 33 55                                                                      350 73 82                                                                      450 67 60                                                                     26-11 150 45 32                                                                 250 78 72                                                                      350 95 92                                                                      450 98 96                                                                     26-12 150 67 42                                                                 250 80 75                                                                      350 96 88                                                                      450 97 90                                                                     26-13 150 73 42                                                                 250 83 77                                                                      350 96 91                                                                      450 98 88                                                                     26-14 150 57 30                                                                 250 77 72                                                                      350 84 80                                                                      450 96 75                                                                     26-15 150 72 38                                                                 250 88 82                                                                      350 98 92                                                                      450 98 87                                                                     26-16 150 85 49                                                                 250 97 47                                                                      350 97 83                                                                      450 98 85                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Performing very well in this test, particularly on ECHCF, were a number of concentrate compositions containing lecithin and butyl stearate.

Example 27

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 27a. All are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                  TABLE 27a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl           Type of                                       composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         27-01   163        1.0     10.0    Tween 80                                      27-02 163 1.0 10.0 Neodol 25-12                                                27-03 163 1.0 10.0 Neodol 25-20                                                27-04 163 1.0 10.0 steareth-20                                                 27-05 163 1.0 10.0 oleth-20                                                    27-06 163 1.0 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                            27-07 163 1.0 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-15                                            27-08 163 1.0 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                            27-09 163 0.5 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                            27-10 163 0.3 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-15                                            27-11 163 0.3 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                            27-12 163 0.3 10.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                            27-13 163 0.3 5.0 Tergitol 15-S-15                                             27-14 163 0.3 5.0 Tergitol 15-S-20                                             27-15 163 0.3 5.0 Tergitol 15-S-40                                           ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 21 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 27b.

                  TABLE 27b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0       23                                             250  0 40                                                                      350  5 53                                                                      450 13 57                                                                     Formulation C 150  0 47                                                         250 28 87                                                                      350 72 98                                                                      450 97 97                                                                     Formulation J 150  5 40                                                         250 20 63                                                                      350 67 93                                                                      450 82 92                                                                     27-01 150  2 40                                                                 250 30 50                                                                      350 50 70                                                                      450 57 85                                                                     27-02 150 10 50                                                                 250 33 50                                                                      350 75 72                                                                      450 75 88                                                                     27-03 150 17 53                                                                 250 60 60                                                                      350 70 92                                                                      450 78 94                                                                     27-04 150 57 45                                                                 250 70 70                                                                      350 82 93                                                                      450 83 95                                                                     27-05 150 47 45                                                                 250 70 80                                                                      350 80 88                                                                      450 88 92                                                                     27-06 150  2 42                                                                 250 20 60                                                                      350 35 75                                                                      450 58 89                                                                     27-07 150  0 42                                                                 250 30 68                                                                      350 40 75                                                                      450 77 82                                                                     27-08 150  2 40                                                                 250 25 60                                                                      350 50 83                                                                      450 75 86                                                                     27-09 150  2 43                                                                 250 27 83                                                                      350 40 73                                                                      450 70 78                                                                     27-10 150  2 42                                                                 250 32 47                                                                      350 43 63                                                                      450 70 82                                                                     27-11 150  0 30                                                                 250 25 53                                                                      350 35 75                                                                      450 70 75                                                                     27-12 150  2 40                                                                 250 13 57                                                                      350 25 75                                                                      450 40 83                                                                     27-13 150  5 42                                                                 250 23 62                                                                      350 38 63                                                                      450 67 60                                                                     27-14 150  2 33                                                                 250 13 48                                                                      350 30 53                                                                      450 70 88                                                                     27-15 150  2 33                                                                 250 18 48                                                                      350 30 75                                                                      450 43 65                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

In this test, at a surfactant to glyphosate a.e. weight/weight ratio of about 1: 1.5, compositions containing steareth-20 or oleth-20 (27-04 and 27-05 respectively) exhibited greater herbicidal effectiveness on both ABUTH and ECHCF than one containing Neodol 25-20 (27-03).

Example 28

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate ammonium or IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 28a. Concentrate composition 28-01 is a water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion and was prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1. Concentrate compositions 28-02 to 28-11 and 28-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 28-12 to 28-16 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii), the component indicated below as "emulsifier #2" being the surfactant component.

                                      TABLE 28a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Conc.                                                                              Glypho-                                                                            Butyl   Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                                                            Glyphosate                               comp.                                                                              sate a.e.                                                                          stearate                                                                           Span 80                                                                            #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #2     salt                                     __________________________________________________________________________     28-01                                                                              10  18.0                                                                               3.0 5.0  9.0 20    Tween 20                                                                              IPA                                        28-02 15 1.0  10.0   Tween 80 IPA                                              28-03 15 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-12 IPA                                          28-04 15 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20 IPA                                          28-05 15 1.0  10.0   steareth-20 IPA                                           28-06 15 1.0  10.0   oleth-20 IPA                                              28-07 15 1.0  10.0   Tween 80 ammonium                                         28-08 15 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-12 ammonium                                     28-09 15 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20 ammonium                                     28-10 15 1.0  10.0   steareth-20 ammonium                                      28-11 15 1.0  10.0   oleth-20 ammonium                                         28-12 15   10.0   Tween 80 IPA                                                 28-13 15   10.0   Neodol 25-12 IPA                                             28-14 15   10.0   Neodol 25-20 IPA                                             28-15 15   10.0   steareth-20 IPA                                              28-16 15   10.0   oleth-20 IPA                                                 28-17 15 1.0  10.0   Emerest 2661 IPA                                        __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 28b.

                  TABLE 28b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           2        5                                             250  3 25                                                                      350 28 30                                                                      450 53 50                                                                     Formulation C 150  5 25                                                         250 60 50                                                                      350 85 83                                                                      450 88 88                                                                     Formulation J 150  2 10                                                         250 70 40                                                                      350 82 53                                                                      450 87 83                                                                     28-01 150 23 20                                                                 250 72 30                                                                      350 80 80                                                                      450 85 69                                                                     28-02 150  5 18                                                                 250 72 38                                                                      350 82 63                                                                      450 85 83                                                                     28-03 150 25 20                                                                 250 70 57                                                                      350 85 68                                                                      450 90 83                                                                     28-04 150 25 27                                                                 250 77 67                                                                      350 85 62                                                                      450 88 70                                                                     28-05 150 60 25                                                                 250 82 62                                                                      350 87 73                                                                      450 85 80                                                                     28-06 150 50 32                                                                 250 78 78                                                                      350 91 91                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     28-07 150  5 25                                                                 250 55 77                                                                      350 77 86                                                                      450 83 99                                                                     28-08 150  0 13                                                                 250 58 78                                                                      350 80 85                                                                      450 85 87                                                                     28-09 150  7 25                                                                 250 57 72                                                                      350 77 83                                                                      450 91 92                                                                     28-10 150 50 25                                                                 250 80 55                                                                      350 86 87                                                                      450 92 82                                                                     28-11 150 53 30                                                                 250 78 80                                                                      350 87 89                                                                      450 95 98                                                                     28-12 150  0 25                                                                 250 50 77                                                                      350 77 90                                                                      450 83 94                                                                     28-13 150  2 30                                                                 250 55 75                                                                      350 72 92                                                                      450 85 80                                                                     28-14 150 12 30                                                                 250 75 78                                                                      350 84 90                                                                      450 96 94                                                                     28-15 150 55 35                                                                 250 78 80                                                                      350 80 94                                                                      450 86 98                                                                     28-16 150 50 35                                                                 250 73 63                                                                      350 84 83                                                                      450 89 95                                                                     28-17 150  0 10                                                                 250 10 53                                                                      350 53 83                                                                      450 62 87                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Compositions containing steareth-20 or oleth-20 (28-05, 28-06, 28-10, 28-11, 28-15, 28-16) generally exhibited superior herbicidal effectiveness to counterparts containing Neodol 25-20 (28-04, 28-09, 28-14), at least on ABUTH. The presence of a small amount of butyl stearate tended to enhance effectiveness on ABUTH (compare 28-05 and 28-06 with 28-15 and 28-16).

Example 29

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 29a. Concentrate composition 29-01 is a water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion and was prepared by process (vi), using Span 80 as emulsifier #1. Concentrate compositions 29-03 to 29-08 and 29-14, 29-16, & 29-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 29-09 to 29-13, and 29-15 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                                      TABLE 29a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Concentrate                                                                          Glyphosate                                                                           Butyl                                                                              Span                                                                              Emulsifier                                                                          % in inner aq. phase                                                                     Emulsifier                                   composition                                                                          a.e.  stearate                                                                           80 #2   Water                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           #2                                           __________________________________________________________________________     29-01 10    18.0                                                                               3.0                                                                               2.5  9.0 20    Tween 20                                       29-02 15 1.0  10.0   Emerest 2661                                              29-03 15 1.0  10.0   Tween 80                                                  29-04 15 1.0  10.0   oleth-20                                                  29-05 15 1.0  10.0   Neodol 25-20                                              29-06 15 1.0  10.0   ceteareth-27                                              29-07 15 1.0  10.0   ceteareth-55                                              29-08 15 1.0  10.0   Genapol UD-110                                            29-09 15   10.0   ceteareth-27                                                 29-10 15   10.0   ceteareth-55                                                 29-11 15   10.0   Genapol UD-110                                               29-12 15   10.0   oleth-20                                                     29-13 10   10.0   oleth-20                                                     29-14 10 1.0  10.0   oleth-20                                                  29-15 20   10.0   oleth-20                                                     29-16 15 0.5  5.0   oleth-20                                                   29-17 15 0.5  10.0   oleth-20                                                __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 29b.

                  TABLE 29b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0        0                                             250  8 20                                                                      350 27 40                                                                      450 62 50                                                                     Formulation C 150 27 50                                                         250 75 70                                                                      350 92 80                                                                      450 97 92                                                                     Formulation J 150 23 30                                                         250 72 50                                                                      350 94 63                                                                      450 95 80                                                                     29-01 150 22 30                                                                 250 60 40                                                                      350 83 57                                                                      450 90 67                                                                     29-02 150 12 33                                                                 250 45 50                                                                      350 73 63                                                                      450 83 83                                                                     29-03 150 27 43                                                                 250 68 50                                                                      350 80 63                                                                      450 87 87                                                                     29-04 150 68 47                                                                 250 95 73                                                                      350 99 78                                                                      450 95 90                                                                     29-05 150 50 50                                                                 250 77 77                                                                      350 90 83                                                                      450 98 83                                                                     29-06 150 78 67                                                                 250 93 82                                                                      350 97 87                                                                      450 99 97                                                                     29-07 150 87 57                                                                 250 96 73                                                                      350 99 85                                                                      450 99 97                                                                     29-08 150 42 30                                                                 250 73 53                                                                      350 82 85                                                                      450 95 89                                                                     29-09 150 67 40                                                                 250 95 73                                                                      350 99 95                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     29-10 150 85 60                                                                 250 96 68                                                                      350 96 91                                                                      450 100  88                                                                   29-11 150 13 10                                                                 250 67 50                                                                      350 78 60                                                                      450 88 73                                                                     29-12 150 72 43                                                                 250 97 68                                                                      350 98 83                                                                      450 99 93                                                                     29-13 150 73 57                                                                 250 88 70                                                                      350 98 87                                                                      450 99 96                                                                     29-14 150 80 50                                                                 250 96 70                                                                      350 99 85                                                                      450 98 88                                                                     29-15 150 70 43                                                                 250 96 53                                                                      350 97 82                                                                      450 99 89                                                                     29-16 150 62 53                                                                 250 88 72                                                                      350 99 81                                                                      450 99 91                                                                     29-17 150 72 58                                                                 250 95 68                                                                      350 100  89                                                                    450 100  93                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The greatest herbicidal effectiveness in this test was exhibited by compositions containing a C₁₆₋₁₈ alkylether surfactant (oleth-20, ceteareth-27 or ceteareth-55).

Example 30

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 30a. All are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                  TABLE 30a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl           Type of                                       composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         30-01   163        1.00    10.0    Tween 80                                      30-02 163 1.00 10.0 Emerest 2661                                               30-03 326 1.00 10.0 Genapol UD-110                                             30-04 326 0.50 10.0 Genapol UD-110                                             30-05 326 0.25 10.0 Genapol UD-110                                             30-06 163 0.25 10.0 Genapol UD-110                                             30-07 163 1.00 10.0 Genapol UD-110                                             30-08 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 1-9                                                 30-09 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 1-12                                                30-10 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 25-20                                               30-11 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 25-12                                               30-12 163 1.00 10.0 Neodox 25-11                                               30-13 163 1.00 10.0 laureth-23                                                 30-14 163 1.00 10.0 ceteth-20                                                  30-15 163 1.00 10.0 steareth-20                                                30-16 163 1.00 10.0 oleth-20                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 15 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 23 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 30b.

                  TABLE 30b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0        0                                             250 25 22                                                                      350 60 40                                                                      450 65 52                                                                     Formulation C 150 43 52                                                         250 72 83                                                                      350 87 98                                                                      450 97 95                                                                     Formulation J 150 50 43                                                         250 75 91                                                                      350 86 96                                                                      450 95 97                                                                     30-01 150 50 30                                                                 250 75 75                                                                      350 85 87                                                                      450 90 92                                                                     30-02 150 35 47                                                                 250 58 77                                                                      350 75 85                                                                      450 80 96                                                                     30-03 150 33 32                                                                 250 57 53                                                                      350 75 78                                                                      450 84 94                                                                     30-04 150 20 25                                                                 250 55 68                                                                      350 78 91                                                                      450 82 97                                                                     30-05 150 37 12                                                                 250 58 42                                                                      350 81 70                                                                      450 86 73                                                                     30-06 150 50  8                                                                 250 65 40                                                                      350 81 65                                                                      450 92 85                                                                     30-07 150 50 30                                                                 250 63 48                                                                      350 84 68                                                                      450 98 84                                                                     30-08 150 43 35                                                                 250 52 65                                                                      350 73 85                                                                      450 84 85                                                                     30-09 150 55 40                                                                 250 68 58                                                                      350 79 65                                                                      450 97 73                                                                     30-10 150 69 40                                                                 250 81 68                                                                      350 94 92                                                                      450 99 96                                                                     30-11 150 58 50                                                                 250 84 60                                                                      350 90 83                                                                      450 94 93                                                                     30-12 150 50 40                                                                 250 57 67                                                                      350 65 84                                                                      450 75 98                                                                     30-13 150 57 53                                                                 250 78 73                                                                      350 89 97                                                                      450 98 97                                                                     30-14 150 68 67                                                                 250 85 73                                                                      350 97 98                                                                      450 100  97                                                                   30-15 150 72 50                                                                 250 88 89                                                                      350 89 98                                                                      450 99 97                                                                     30-16 150 65 53                                                                 250 87 72                                                                      350 97 85                                                                      450 100  95                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Activity overall in this test was very high, and differences among compositions in herbicidal effectivess are difficult to discern clearly.

Example 31

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 31a. All are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                  TABLE 31a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl           Type of                                       composition g a.e./l Stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         31-01   163        1.00    10.0    Tween 80                                      31-02 163 1.00 10.0 Emerest 2661                                               31-03 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 25-20                                               31-04 163 1.00 10.0 oleth-20                                                   31-05 163 0.50 5.0 oleth-20                                                    31-06 163 0.25 2.5 oleth-20                                                    31-07 163 0.50 2.5 oleth-20                                                    31-08 163 0.50 1.0 oleth-20                                                    31-09 163 0.25 5.0 oleth-20                                                    31-10 326 1.00 10.0 Neodol 1-12                                                31-11 326 0.50 10.0 Neodol 1-12                                                31-12 326 0.25 10.0 Neodol 1-12                                                31-13 326 1.00 5.0 Neodol 1-12                                                 31-14 326 0.50 5.0 Neodol 1-12                                                 31-15 326 0.25 5.0 Neodol 1-12                                                 31-16 326 0.10 5.0 Neodol 1-12                                               ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 15 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 31b.

                  TABLE 31b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           7       50                                             250 45 60                                                                      350 73 73                                                                      450 80 78                                                                     Formulation C 150 75 77                                                         250 87 100                                                                     350 96 99                                                                      450 99 97                                                                     Formulation J 150 72 77                                                         250 83 89                                                                      350 97 99                                                                      450 97 98                                                                     31-01 150 60 75                                                                 250 80 85                                                                      350 93 97                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     31-02 150 57 75                                                                 250 70 83                                                                      350 87 83                                                                      450 90 94                                                                     31-03 150 77 80                                                                 250 87 92                                                                      350 97 87                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     31-04 150 80 89                                                                 250 93 92                                                                      350 99 99                                                                      450 100  99                                                                   31-05 150 83 83                                                                 250 92 93                                                                      350 97 90                                                                      450 100  93                                                                   31-06 150 77 77                                                                 250 80 91                                                                      350 90 99                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     31-07 150 77 83                                                                 250 82 89                                                                      350 90 91                                                                      450 97 98                                                                     31-08 150 47 82                                                                 250 73 82                                                                      350 80 97                                                                      450 92 91                                                                     31-09 150 73 78                                                                 250 87 88                                                                      350 97 94                                                                      450 99 99                                                                     31-10 150 52 67                                                                 250 70 80                                                                      350 93 88                                                                      450 93 94                                                                     31-11 150 40 68                                                                 250 72 85                                                                      350 87 96                                                                      450 93 96                                                                     31-12 150 37 60                                                                 250 68 83                                                                      350 85 85                                                                      450 93 75                                                                     31-13 150 28 63                                                                 250 53 80                                                                      350 85 97                                                                      450 88 97                                                                     31-14 150 37 63                                                                 250 58 73                                                                      350 83 96                                                                      450 90 91                                                                     31-15 150 30 70                                                                 250 47 83                                                                      350 82 89                                                                      450 87 89                                                                     31-16 150 40 53                                                                 250 53 82                                                                      350 80 80                                                                      450 88 77                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Composition 31-04, containing 1% butyl stearate and 10% oleth-20 (surfactant to glyphosate a.e. weight/weight ratio about 1:1.5), exhibited marginally greater herbicidal effectiveness than composition 31-03, containing 1% butyl stearate and 10% Neodol 25-20. At this very high surfactant to glyphosate ratio, however, both performed extremely well. Surprisingly, when the butyl stearate and oleth-20 concentrations were significantly lowered, this high level of performance was maintained to a remarkable degree. Even when butyl stearate was reduced to 0.25% and oleth-20 to 2.5% (surfactant to glyphosate a.e. ratio about 1:6), as in composition 31-06, herbicidal effectiveness was still similar to that obtained with commercial standard Formulations C and J.

Example 32

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 32a. Concentrate compositions 32-01 to 32-08 and 32-11 to 32-16 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 32-09 and 32-10 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                  TABLE 32a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl           Type of                                       composition a.e. Stearate Surfactant surfactant                              ______________________________________                                         32-01   15.0       0.25    5.0     Emerest 2661                                  32-02 15.0 0.25 5.0 Tween 80                                                   32-03 15.0 0.25 5.0 Neodol 25-20                                               32-04 15.0 0.25 5.0 laureth-23                                                 32-05 15.0 0.25 5.0 ceteth-20                                                  32-06 15.0 0.25 2.5 Tween 80                                                   32-07 15.0 0.10 1.0 Tween 80                                                   32-08 15.0 1.00 10.0 Tween 80                                                  32-09 15.0  5.0 laureth-23                                                     32-10 15.0  5.0 ceteth-20                                                      32-11 15.0 1.00 10.0 Neodol 25-20                                              32-12 15.0 1.00 10.0 oleth-20                                                  32-13 15.0 0.50 5.0 oleth-20                                                   32-14 15.0 0.25 5.0 oleth-20                                                   32-15 15.0 0.25 2.5 oleth-20                                                   32-16 15.0 0.25 5.0 Genapol UD-110                                           ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 12 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 16 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 32b.

                  TABLE 32b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           2       10                                             250  5 20                                                                      350 43 30                                                                      450 58 43                                                                     Formulation C 150 68 50                                                         250 92 79                                                                      350 96 90                                                                      450 98 85                                                                     Formulation J 150 57 43                                                         250 90 63                                                                      350 95 80                                                                      450 95 95                                                                     32-01 150  7 33                                                                 250 50 43                                                                      350 77 53                                                                      450 80 93                                                                     32-02 150 17 50                                                                 250 72 70                                                                      350 80 80                                                                      450 80 93                                                                     32-03 150 43 40                                                                 250 75 68                                                                      350 87 75                                                                      450 96 95                                                                     32-04 150 33 47                                                                 250 73 63                                                                      350 80 77                                                                      450 90 93                                                                     32-05 150 73 37                                                                 250 92 57                                                                      350 95 88                                                                      450 95 73                                                                     32-06 150 25 35                                                                 250 68 47                                                                      350 80 92                                                                      450 88 85                                                                     32-07 150  3 30                                                                 250 57 40                                                                      350 77 53                                                                      450 80 67                                                                     32-08 150 53 43                                                                 250 77 62                                                                      350 80 88                                                                      450 93 80                                                                     32-09 150 32 60                                                                 250 77 53                                                                      350 93 73                                                                      450 97 93                                                                     32-10 150 75 35                                                                 250 92 77                                                                      350 96 77                                                                      450 97 93                                                                     32-11 150 75 53                                                                 250 90 78                                                                      350 95 89                                                                      450 98 97                                                                     32-12 150 80 43                                                                 250 95 73                                                                      350 96 92                                                                      450 98 89                                                                     32-13 150 75 53                                                                 250 92 97                                                                      350 97 99                                                                      450 96 93                                                                     32-14 150 78 70                                                                 250 90 92                                                                      350 93 97                                                                      450 95 93                                                                     32-15 150 70 60                                                                 250 83 98                                                                      350 95 99                                                                      450 97 99                                                                     32-16 150 27 52                                                                 250 75 73                                                                      350 80 98                                                                      450 83 99                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Extremely high herbicidal effectiveness was again observed with a composition (32-15) containing 15% glyphosate a.e. and just 2.5% oleth-20 together with 0.25% butyl stearate. A comparison of 15% glyphosate a.e. compositions containing 5% alkylether surfactant and 0.25% butyl stearate provided the following ranking of alkylethers in descending order of effectiveness: oleth-20 (32-14)>ceteth-20 (32-05)>Neodol 25-20 (32-03)=laureth-23 (67-04).

Example 33

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 33a. All are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                  TABLE 33a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl            Type of                                      composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         33-01   163        0.50     5.0     oleth-20                                     33-02 163 0.25 5.0 oleth-20                                                    33-03 163 0.25 2.5 oleth-20                                                    33-04 163 1.00 10.0 oleth-20                                                   33-05 163 0.50 5.0 steareth-20                                                 33-06 163 0.25 5.0 steareth-20                                                 33-07 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-20                                                 33-08 163 1.00 10.0 steareth-20                                              ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 16 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 33b.

                  TABLE 33b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0       30                                             250 20 43                                                                      350 43 53                                                                      450 68 57                                                                     Formulation C 150 60 47                                                         250 75 53                                                                      350 87 80                                                                      450 87 78                                                                     Formulation J 150 42 43                                                         250 83 60                                                                      350 87 73                                                                      450 93 87                                                                     33-01 150 60 60                                                                 250 78 63                                                                      350 87 89                                                                      450 92 78                                                                     33-02 150 70 43                                                                 250 80 91                                                                      350 87 86                                                                      450 96 87                                                                     33-03 150 52 43                                                                 250 75 72                                                                      350 83 93                                                                      450 87 94                                                                     33-04 150 72 50                                                                 250 93 73                                                                      350 97 95                                                                      450 97 91                                                                     33-05 150 72 43                                                                 250 80 78                                                                      350 87 91                                                                      450 93 85                                                                     33-06 150 68 40                                                                 250 80 50                                                                      350 93 75                                                                      450 95 85                                                                     33-07 150 63 37                                                                 250 78 55                                                                      350 87 84                                                                      450 83 82                                                                     33-08 150 70 50                                                                 250 80 70                                                                      350 92 84                                                                      450 94 98                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

All compositions containing butyl stearate and either oleth-20 or steareth-20 showed a very high level of performance by comparison with commercial standard Formulations C and J.

Example 34

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 34a. All are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                  TABLE 34a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl            Type of                                      composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         34-01   163        0.50     5.0     oleth-20                                     34-02 163 0.25 5.0 oleth-20                                                    34-03 163 0.25 2.5 oleth-20                                                    34-04 163 1.00 10.0 oleth-20                                                   34-05 163 0.50 5.0 steareth-20                                                 34-06 163 0.25 5.0 steareth-20                                                 34-07 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-20                                                 34-08 163 1.00 10.0 steareth-20                                              ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 34b.

                  TABLE 34b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           3       10                                             250 28 23                                                                      350 72 37                                                                      450 73 50                                                                     Formulation C 150 57 43                                                         250 87 62                                                                      350 93 83                                                                      450 99 95                                                                     Formulation J 150 27 47                                                         250 70 53                                                                      350 92 75                                                                      450 94 92                                                                     34-01 150 68 50                                                                 250 85 47                                                                      350 97 70                                                                      450 99 83                                                                     34-02 150 67 40                                                                 250 78 50                                                                      350 96 63                                                                      450 99 68                                                                     34-03 150 52 40                                                                 250 72 50                                                                      350 95 63                                                                      450 97 85                                                                     34-04 150 72 40                                                                 250 97 53                                                                      350 97 77                                                                      450 99 90                                                                     34-05 150 75 40                                                                 250  0 53                                                                      350 88 53                                                                      450 96 78                                                                     34-06 150 98 40                                                                 250 93 50                                                                      350 97 68                                                                      450 97 82                                                                     34-07 150 73 40                                                                 250 92 50                                                                      350 98 63                                                                      450 98 80                                                                     34-08 150 77 43                                                                 250 93 57                                                                      350 97 77                                                                      450 98 88                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

All compositions containing butyl stearate and either oleth-20 or steareth-20 showed a very high level of performance by comparison with commercial standard Formulations C and J.

Example 35

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 35a. Concentrate composition 35-03 is an aqueous solution concentrate and was prepared by process (viii). Concentrate compositions 35-01, 35-02 and 35-04 to 35-09 are aqueous solution concentrates containing colloidal particulate and were prepared by process (ix).

                  TABLE 35a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Concen-                                                                               Glypho- % w/w                                                           trate com-                                                                            sate    Butyl   Ethomeen                                                                              Neodol                                                                               PG-   Aluminum                               position g a.e./l stearate T/25 1-7 2069 oxide C                             ______________________________________                                         35-01  484                                0.4                                    35-02 484  5.0   0.4                                                           35-03 484  5.0                                                                 35-04 484  6.0 1.0  0.4                                                        35-05 484  7.0 2.0  0.4                                                        35-06 484 0.3 6.0 1.0  0.4                                                     35-07 484  4.0  1.0 0.4                                                        35-08 484  5.0  2.0 0.4                                                        35-09 484 0.3 4.0  1.0 0.4                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 17 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 35b.

                  TABLE 35b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0       23                                             250 38 30                                                                      350 65 40                                                                      450 75 40                                                                     Formulation J 150 65 50                                                         250 77 80                                                                      350 93 93                                                                      450 98 94                                                                     35-01 150 58 33                                                                 250 65 40                                                                      350 78 43                                                                      450 78 47                                                                     35-02 150 32 20                                                                 250 63 33                                                                      350 72 40                                                                      450 83 47                                                                     35-03 150 67 43                                                                 250 93 75                                                                      350 93 84                                                                      450 100  87                                                                   35-04 150 72 43                                                                 250 94 82                                                                      350 98 89                                                                      450 100  95                                                                   35-05 150 63 40                                                                 250 77 60                                                                      350 97 83                                                                      450 99 82                                                                     35-06 150 70 40                                                                 250 78 72                                                                      350 98 83                                                                      450 99 93                                                                     35-07 150 65 78                                                                 250 87 missing                                                                 350 88 89                                                                      450 99 95                                                                     35-08 150 73 63                                                                 250 78 88                                                                      350 82 94                                                                      450 82 77                                                                     35-09 150 58 55                                                                 250 78 83                                                                      350 88 86                                                                      450 99 91                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The addition of butyl stearate did not enhance herbicidal effectiveness of the compositions of this Example (compare 35-06 with 35-04 and 35-09 with 35-07).

Example 36

Aqueous spray compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 36a. Process (iii) was followed for spray compositions 36-01 to 36-22 and 36-26 to 36-72, using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti). Process (i) was followed for spray compositions 36-23 to 36-25.

                  TABLE 36a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Spray     % w/w                                                                composition                                                                              Lecithin   Butyl stearate                                                                            MON 0818                                       ______________________________________                                         36-01     0.10       0.10                                                        36-02 0.10 0.08                                                                36-03 0.10 0.05                                                                36-04 0.10 0.03                                                                36-05 0.10 0.01                                                                36-06 0.08 0.10                                                                36-07 0.05 0.10                                                                36-08 0.03 0.10                                                                36-09 0.01 0.10                                                                36-10 0.08 0.01                                                                36-11 0.05 0.01                                                                36-12 0.03 0.01                                                                36-13 0.01 0.01                                                                36-14 0.01 0.03                                                                36-15 0.01 0.05                                                                36-16 0.01 0.08                                                                36-17 0.03 0.03                                                                36-18 0.05 0.05                                                                36-19 0.08 0.08                                                                36-20 0.08 0.03                                                                36-21 0.03 0.08                                                                36-22 0.05                                                                     36-23  0.05                                                                    36-24   0.09                                                                   36-25   0.03                                                                   36-26 0.09 0.02 0.09                                                           36-27 0.09 0.02 0.05                                                           36-28 0.01 0.01 0.01                                                           36-29 0.01 0.01 0.03                                                           36-30 0.01 0.01 0.05                                                           36-31 0.01 0.01 0.08                                                           36-32 0.01 0.01 0.10                                                           36-33 0.01 0.05 0.01                                                           36-34 0.01 0.05 0.03                                                           36-35 0.01 0.05 0.05                                                           36-36 0.01 0.05 0.08                                                           36-37 0.01 0.05 0.10                                                           36-38 0.01 0.10 0.01                                                           36-39 0.01 0.10 0.03                                                           36-40 0.01 0.10 0.05                                                           36-41 0.01 0.10 0.08                                                           36-42 0.01 0.10 0.10                                                           36-43 0.05 0.01 0.01                                                           36-44 0.05 0.01 0.03                                                           36-45 0.05 0.01 0.05                                                           36-46 0.05 0.01 0.08                                                           36-47 0.05 0.01 0.10                                                           36-48 0.05 0.05 0.01                                                           36-49 0.05 0.05 0.03                                                           36-50 0.05 0.05 0.05                                                           36-51 0.05 0.05 0.08                                                           36-52 0.05 0.05 0.10                                                           36-53 0.05 0.10 0.01                                                           36-54 0.05 0.10 0.03                                                           36-55 0.05 0.10 0.05                                                           36-56 0.05 0.10 0.08                                                           36-57 0.05 0.10 0.10                                                           36-58 0.10 0.01 0.01                                                           36-59 0.10 0.01 0.03                                                           36-60 0.10 0.01 0.05                                                           36-61 0.10 0.01 0.08                                                           36-62 0.10 0.01 0.10                                                           36-63 0.10 0.05 0.01                                                           36-64 0.10 0.05 0.03                                                           36-65 0.10 0.05 0.05                                                           36-66 0.10 0.05 0.08                                                           36-67 0.10 0.05 0.10                                                           36-68 0.10 0.10 0.01                                                           36-69 0.10 0.10 0.03                                                           36-70 0.10 0.10 0.05                                                           36-71 0.10 0.10 0.08                                                           36-72 0.10 0.10 0.10                                                         ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 15 days after application.

Formulations C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 36b.

                  TABLE 36b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Spray composition                                                                           g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation C                                                                               280          71       73                                            Formulation J 280 65 77                                                        36-01 280 60 49                                                                36-02 280 46 47                                                                36-03 280 34 48                                                                36-04 280 33 35                                                                36-05 280 50 33                                                                36-06 280 49 52                                                                36-07 280 39 42                                                                36-08 280 48 38                                                                36-09 280 51 42                                                                36-10 280 37 30                                                                36-11 280 48 30                                                                36-12 280 56 34                                                                36-13 280 41 45                                                                36-14 280 52 56                                                                36-15 280 38 40                                                                36-16 280 53 33                                                                36-17 280 45 40                                                                36-18 280 52 38                                                                36-19 280 37 34                                                                36-20 280 36 28                                                                36-21 280 40 38                                                                36-22 280 44 47                                                                36-23 280 60 42                                                                36-24 280 92 76                                                                36-25 280 87 69                                                                36-26 280 89 88                                                                36-27 280 79 80                                                                36-28 280 74 73                                                                36-29 280 91 76                                                                36-30 280 94 92                                                                36-31 280 87 81                                                                36-32 280 93 77                                                                36-33 280 88 73                                                                36-34 280 92 85                                                                36-35 280 90 82                                                                36-36 280 92 77                                                                36-37 280 87 77                                                                36-38 280 88 77                                                                36-39 280 84 74                                                                36-40 280 87 68                                                                36-41 280 93 76                                                                36-42 280 94 78                                                                36-43 280 80 59                                                                36-44 280 69 54                                                                36-45 280 88 74                                                                36-46 280 94 79                                                                36-47 280 95 79                                                                36-48 280 71 63                                                                36-49 280 81 72                                                                36-50 280 81 79                                                                36-51 280 79 85                                                                36-52 280 98 69                                                                36-53 280 69 70                                                                36-54 280 74 69                                                                36-55 280 84 78                                                                36-56 280 86 68                                                                36-57 280 98 82                                                                36-58 280 71 69                                                                36-59 280 95 79                                                                36-60 280 92 70                                                                36-61 280 93 70                                                                36-62 280 98 80                                                                36-63 280 81 74                                                                36-64 280 84 73                                                                36-65 280 89 70                                                                36-66 280 91 65                                                                36-67 280 94 81                                                                36-68 280 87 81                                                                36-69 280 72 79                                                                36-70 280 87 76                                                                36-71 280 94 71                                                                36-72 280 97 73                                                              ______________________________________                                    

Compositions outperforming commercial standard Formulations C and J on both ABUTH and ECHCF in this test included 36-26, 36-27, 36-30, 36-34, 36-35, 36-51 and 36-57, all containing lecithin, butyl stearate and MON 0818.

Example 37

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 37a. All contain colloidal particulates and were prepared by process (ix).

All compositions of this example showed acceptable storage stability. The compositions containing oleth-20 were not acceptably storage-stable in the absence of the colloidal particulate.

                  TABLE 37a                                                        ______________________________________                                                     % w/w                                                              Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate                                                                               Butyl                 Type of                                  composition g a.e./l stearate Oleth-20 Aerosil Aerosil                       ______________________________________                                         37-01   488               3.0     0.4   OX-50                                    37-02 488  3.0 0.8 OX-50                                                       37-03 488  3.0 1.5 OX-50                                                       37-04 488   0.4 OX-50                                                          37-05 488   0.8 OX-50                                                          37-06 488   1.5 OX-50                                                          37-07 488  3.0 0.4 MOX-80                                                      37-08 488  3.0 0.8 MOX-80                                                      37-09 488  3.0 1.5 MOX-80                                                      37-10 488   0.4 MOX-80                                                         37-11 488   0.8 MOX-80                                                         37-12 488   1.5 MOX-80                                                         37-13 488  3.0 0.4 MOX-170                                                     37-14 488  3.0 0.8 MOX-170                                                     37-15 488  3.0 1.5 MOX-170                                                     37-16 488   0.4 MOX-170                                                        37-17 488   0.8 MOX-170                                                        37-18 488   1.5 MOX-170                                                        37-19 488 3.0 3.0 1.5 MOX-80                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 37b.

                  TABLE 37b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0       27                                             250 17 37                                                                      350 47 57                                                                      450 60 60                                                                     Formulation J 150 57 50                                                         250 82 87                                                                      350 95 99                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     37-01 150 37 60                                                                 250 73 70                                                                      350 96 97                                                                      450 96 99                                                                     37-02 150 43 50                                                                 250 73 63                                                                      350 93 96                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     37-03 150 53 60                                                                 250 83 87                                                                      350 87 97                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     37-04 150 45 40                                                                 250 57 60                                                                      350 78 95                                                                      450 94 100                                                                    37-05 150 47 50                                                                 250 60 82                                                                      350 92 96                                                                      450 95 99                                                                     37-06 150 38 53                                                                 250 68 96                                                                      350 82 99                                                                      450 83 95                                                                     37-07 150 50 57                                                                 250 87 88                                                                      350 91 99                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     37-08 150 53 50                                                                 250 88 85                                                                      350 96 97                                                                      450 97 100                                                                    37-09 150 40 30                                                                 250 37 47                                                                      350 57 80                                                                      450 77 94                                                                     37-10 150 47 50                                                                 250 70 95                                                                      350 75 99                                                                      450 77 98                                                                     37-11 150 27 60                                                                 250 72 85                                                                      350 82 98                                                                      450 75 99                                                                     37-12 150 37 57                                                                 250 73 86                                                                      350 80 99                                                                      450 85 100                                                                    37-13 150 45 53                                                                 250 85 94                                                                      350 95 100                                                                     450 98 99                                                                     37-14 150 50 50                                                                 250 78 83                                                                      350 94 98                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     37-15 150 53 67                                                                 250 75 88                                                                      350 93 97                                                                      450 96 99                                                                     37-16 150 42 50                                                                 250 47 96                                                                      350 70 98                                                                      450 90 99                                                                     37-17 150 27 83                                                                 250 57 98                                                                      350 87 99                                                                      450 87 100                                                                    37-18 150 33 60                                                                 250 47 94                                                                      350 83 99                                                                      450 93 99                                                                     37-19 150 45 47                                                                 250 80 73                                                                      350 96 94                                                                      450 99 98                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Remarkably high levels of herbicidal effectiveness were obtained in this test with compositions containing oleth-20 at a weight/weight ratio to glyphosate a.e. of about 1:14, and stabilized with colloidal particulates. In some cases the colloidal particulate alone contributed a major part of the efficacy enhancement. Composition 37-19, containing butyl stearate, was among the most efficacious compositions in the test. Results with composition 37-09 are out of line with other data and an application problem is suspected.

Example 38

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 38a. All were prepared by process (x), using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 38a                                                        ______________________________________                                                       % w/w                                                            Concentrate                                                                              Glyphosate          Butyl Ethomeen                                     composition g a.e./l Lecithin stearate T/25                                  ______________________________________                                         38-01     200       6.0       2     6.0                                          38-02 200  3 6.0                                                               38-03 200  1.5 9.0                                                             38-04 200  3 9.0                                                               38-05 200 6.0 1.5 9.0                                                          38-06 200 6.0 1.5 3.0                                                          38-07 200   9.0                                                              ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 15 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 38b.

                  TABLE 38b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150          29       22                                             250 41 29                                                                      350 53 32                                                                      450 68 35                                                                     Formulation J 150 43 32                                                         250 76 43                                                                      350 86 47                                                                      450 94 66                                                                     38-01 150 67 33                                                                 250 85 40                                                                      350 96 71                                                                      450 97 59                                                                     38-02 150 65 36                                                                 250 81 52                                                                      350 97 68                                                                      450 98 62                                                                     38-03 150 67 40                                                                 250 85 77                                                                      350 94 77                                                                      450 97 63                                                                     38-04 150 69 38                                                                 250 86 58                                                                      350 93 84                                                                      450 98 62                                                                     38-05 150 73 40                                                                 250 83 53                                                                      350 93 75                                                                      450 96 61                                                                     38-06 150 45 30                                                                 250 71 38                                                                      350 91 45                                                                      450 89 39                                                                     38-07 150 59 39                                                                 250 83 44                                                                      350 95 63                                                                      450 95 70                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Data for the 450 g a.e./ha glyphosate rate in this study are unreliable. Application error is suspected. The high levels of Ethomeen T/25 included in compositions of this Example tends to obscure the effects of lecithin and butyl stearate, but composition 38-05, for example, showed outstanding effectiveness.

Example 39

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 39a. Concentrate compositions 39-01 to 39-04, 39-06, 39-08, 39-09, 39-11, 39-12, 39-14 and 39-16 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 39-05, 39-07, 39-10, 39-13, 39-15 and 39-17 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                  TABLE 39a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate Butyl            Type of                                      composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         39-01   163        0.25     2.5     Neodol 1-12                                  39-02 163 0.25 2.5 laureth-23                                                  39-03 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-10                                                 39-04 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-20                                                 39-05 163  2.5 steareth-20                                                     39-06 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-100                                                39-07 163  2.5 steareth-100                                                    39-08 163 0.25 2.5 oleth-10                                                    39-09 163 0.25 2.5 oleth-20                                                    39-10 163  2.5 oleth-20                                                        39-11 163 0.25 2.5 ceteth-10                                                   39-12 163 0.25 2.5 ceteth-20                                                   39-13 163  2.5 ceteth-20                                                       39-14 326 0.50 5.0 ceteareth-27                                                39-15 326  5.0 ceteareth-27                                                    39-16 163 0.25 2.5 ceteareth-55                                                39-17 163  2.5 ceteareth-55                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 15 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 39b.

                  TABLE 39b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           0       33                                             250 20 43                                                                      350 63 63                                                                      450 75 70                                                                     Formulation C 150 53 55                                                         250 80 87                                                                      350 94 97                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     Formulation J 150 40 57                                                         250 80 90                                                                      350 96 99                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     39-01 150 52 40                                                                 250 65 73                                                                      350 77 70                                                                      450 77 70                                                                     39-02 150 37 70                                                                 250 75 80                                                                      350 83 97                                                                      450 95 99                                                                     39-03 150 47 53                                                                 250 77 86                                                                      350 83 97                                                                      450 93 100                                                                    39-04 150 80 60                                                                 250 93 83                                                                      350 96 85                                                                      450 99 99                                                                     39-05 150 80 43                                                                 250 93 79                                                                      350 96 94                                                                      450 98 96                                                                     39-06 150 77 53                                                                 250 85 83                                                                      350 94 99                                                                      450 97 99                                                                     39-07 150 63 50                                                                 250 80 88                                                                      350 85 96                                                                      450 96 99                                                                     39-08 150 27 45                                                                 250 75 83                                                                      350 77 99                                                                      450 96 98                                                                     39-09 150 75 57                                                                 250 80 82                                                                      350 97 95                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     39-10 150 70 40                                                                 250 85 83                                                                      350 97 98                                                                      450 99 99                                                                     39-11 150 53 37                                                                 250 75 63                                                                      350 88 93                                                                      450 92 98                                                                     39-12 150 70 40                                                                 250 78 75                                                                      350 90 91                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     39-13 150 72 40                                                                 250 92 80                                                                      350 97 90                                                                      450 99 97                                                                     39-14 150 78 53                                                                 250 89 88                                                                      350 97 95                                                                      450 99 100                                                                    39-15 150 80 60                                                                 250 95 97                                                                      350 98 100                                                                     450 99 99                                                                     39-16 150 60 63                                                                 250 87 78                                                                      350 96 94                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     39-17 150 73 60                                                                 250 85 57                                                                      350 93 80                                                                      450 99 85                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

In combination with butyl stearate, steareth-20 (composition 39-04) gave greater herbicidal effectiveness than steareth-10 (39-03) on ABUTH. Similarly, oleth-20 (39-09) was more efficacious than oleth-10 (39-08) and ceteth-20 (39-12) than ceteth-10 (39-11). In the absence of butyl stearate, ceteareth-55 (39-17) was noticeably weaker on ECHCF than ceteareth-27 (39-15) but inclusion of butyl stearate (39-16) tended to correct this weakness. Note that while compositions 39-14 and 39-15 contained twice as high a concentration of excipients as the other compositions of the test, the concentration of glyphosate was also twice as high, thus the concentrations as sprayed were the same.

Example 40

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 40a. Concentrate compositions 40-01 to 40-05, 40-07, 40-08, 40-10 and 40-12 to 40-16 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 40-06, 40-09 and 40-11 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                  TABLE 40a                                                        ______________________________________                                                      % w/w                                                             Concentrate                                                                             Glyphosate                                                                               Butyl           Type of                                       composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         40-01    163       0.25     2.5    Neodol 1-12                                   40-02 163 0.25 2.5 laureth-23                                                  40-03 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-10                                                 40-04 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-20                                                 40-05 163 0.25 2.5 Pluronic F-68                                               40-06 163  2.5 Pluronic F-68                                                   40-07 326 1.00 5.0 Pluronic F-108                                              40-08 326 0.50 5.0 Pluronic F-108                                              40-09 326  5.0 Pluronic F-108                                                  40-10 163 0.25 2.5 Pluronic F-127                                              40-11 163  2.5 Pluronic F-127                                                  40-12 326 0.50 5.0 ceteareth-27                                                40-13 163 0.25 2.5 ceteareth-55                                                40-14 163 0.25 2.5 oleth-20                                                    40-15 163 0.25 2.5 ceteth-20                                                   40-16 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-100                                              ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 15 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 40b.

                  TABLE 40b                                                        ______________________________________                                                    Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                     g a.e./ha    ABUTH    ECHCF                                       ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                               150           5        0                                             250 47  5                                                                      350 70 23                                                                      450 75 43                                                                     Formulation C 150 73 47                                                         250 99 50                                                                      350 98 67                                                                      450 99 75                                                                     Formulation J 150 73 43                                                         250 89 50                                                                      350 97 83                                                                      450 98 77                                                                     40-01 150 37 30                                                                 250 70 33                                                                      350 77 40                                                                      450 90 47                                                                     40-02 150 52 37                                                                 250 77 67                                                                      350 90 77                                                                      450 92 75                                                                     40-03 150 40 30                                                                 250 77 70                                                                      350 80 82                                                                      450 90 83                                                                     40-04 150 75 37                                                                 250 95 53                                                                      350 99 91                                                                      450 99 82                                                                     40-05 150 58 37                                                                 250 65 53                                                                      350 80 80                                                                      450 75 68                                                                     40-06 150 40 30                                                                 250 75 33                                                                      350 78 43                                                                      450 80 43                                                                     40-07 150 50 30                                                                 250 75 33                                                                      350 78 53                                                                      450 86 53                                                                     40-08 150 47 30                                                                 250 75 33                                                                      350 77 40                                                                      450 80 50                                                                     40-09 150 43 33                                                                 250 77 40                                                                      350 78 63                                                                      450 83 50                                                                     40-10 150 27 40                                                                 250 77 43                                                                      350 80 50                                                                      450 92 40                                                                     40-11 150 37 30                                                                 250 72 33                                                                      350 80 60                                                                      450 95 40                                                                     40-12 150 78 37                                                                 250 98 40                                                                      350 99 53                                                                      450 100  50                                                                   40-13 150 75 30                                                                 250 88 40                                                                      350 98 47                                                                      450 100  65                                                                   40-14 150 73 30                                                                 250 87 40                                                                      350 98 50                                                                      450 99 53                                                                     40-15 150 72 30                                                                 250 93 40                                                                      350 96 43                                                                      450 99 50                                                                     40-16 150 73 40                                                                 250 83 40                                                                      350 98 40                                                                      450 100  47                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Composition 40-04 containing steareth-20 outperformed its counterpart 40-03 containing steareth-10, though both gave greater herbicidal effectiveness, especially on ECHCF, than 40-02 containing Neodol 1-12.

Example 41

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 41a. Concentrate compositions 41-01 to 41-07 and 41-09 to 41-15 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 41-08 and 41-16 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                  TABLE 41a                                                        ______________________________________                                                 Gly-                                                                     Concentrate phosate % w/w Type of Type of                                    composition                                                                            g a.e./l                                                                               Oil    Surfactant                                                                            Oil      surfactant                              ______________________________________                                         41-01   163     0.5    5.0    methyl stearate                                                                         oleth-20                                  41-02 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate oleth-20                                      41-03 163 0.5 5.0 methyl oleate oleth-20                                       41-04 163 0.5 5.0 butyl oleate oleth-20                                        41-05 163 0.5 5.0 methyl laurate oleth-20                                      41-06 163 0.5 5.0 butyl laurate oleth-20                                       41-07 163 0.5 5.0 Orchex 796 oleth-20                                          41-08 163  5.0 none oleth-20                                                   41-09 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate Neodol 1-9                                   41-10 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate Neodol 1-9                                    41-11 163 0.5 5.0 methyl oleate Neodol 1-9                                     41-12 163 0.5 5.0 butyl oleate Neodol 1-9                                      41-13 163 0.5 5.0 methyl laurate Neodol 1-9                                    41-14 163 0.5 5.0 butyl laurate Neodol 1-9                                     41-15 163 0.5 5.0 Orchex 796 Neodol 1-9                                        41-16 163  5.0 none Neodol 1-9                                               ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 41b.

                  TABLE 41b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 150         3         10                                            250 58 57                                                                      350 78 53                                                                      450 77 53                                                                     Formulation C 150 60 98                                                         250 87 99                                                                      350 95 98                                                                      450 99 100                                                                    Formulation J 150 60 75                                                         250 89 87                                                                      350 93 90                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     41-01 150 75 96                                                                 250 99 97                                                                      350 97 99                                                                      450 99 100                                                                    41-02 150 60 60                                                                 250 97 67                                                                      350 99 98                                                                      450 100 95                                                                    41-03 150 63 40                                                                 250 83 82                                                                      350 97 86                                                                      450 97 88                                                                     41-04 150 73 40                                                                 250 94 82                                                                      350 97 100                                                                     450 99 100                                                                    41-05 150 67 47                                                                 250 86 67                                                                      350 97 88                                                                      450 99 100                                                                    41-06 150 60 43                                                                 250 78 91                                                                      350 97 83                                                                      450 94 86                                                                     41-07 150 70 53                                                                 250 80 53                                                                      350 97 82                                                                      450 97 92                                                                     41-08 150 70 62                                                                 250 83 83                                                                      350 91 87                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     41-09 150 45 42                                                                 250 72 72                                                                      350 77 73                                                                      450 78 89                                                                     41-10 150 40 30                                                                 250 82 80                                                                      350 78 98                                                                      450 89 93                                                                     41-11 150 40 30                                                                 250 65 60                                                                      350 77 90                                                                      450 96 92                                                                     41-12 150 20 30                                                                 250 63 73                                                                      350 80 75                                                                      450 93 86                                                                     41-13 150 20 27                                                                 250 67 60                                                                      350 82 91                                                                      450 88 92                                                                     41-14 150 7 30                                                                  250 72 81                                                                      350 87 78                                                                      450 80 85                                                                     41-15 150 20 23                                                                 250 65 60                                                                      350 77 81                                                                      450 87 88                                                                     41-16 150 12 30                                                                 250 57 53                                                                      350 68 85                                                                      450 85 85                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Composition 41-08, containing as sole excipient substance oleth-20 at a 1:3 weight/weight ratio to glyphosate a.e., exhibited high herbicidal effectiveness, at least equal to commercial standard Formulations C and J on ABUTH but a little weaker on ECHCF. By comparison, composition 41-16, wherein the sole excipient substance was Neodol 1-9 at the same ratio to glyphosate, had much weaker activity. Addition of a small amount of fatty acid ester in most cases enhanced effectiveness, especially on ECHCF. In this study the most efficacious composition was 41-01, containing oleth-20 and methyl stearate. When added to Neodol 1-9, butyl stearate was more efficacious than methyl stearate, methyl oleate or butyl oleate. The mineral oil Orchex 796 did not substitute effectively for butyl stearate, either with oleth-20 or with Neodol 1-9.

Example 42

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 42a. Concentrate compositions 42-01, 42-03, 42-05 to 42-08, 42-10 and 42-14 to 42-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 42-02, 42-04, 42-09 and 42-11 to 42-13 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii). Some compositions contained a coupling agent as indicated in Table 42a; the coupling agent was added with the surfactant.

                                      TABLE 42a                                    __________________________________________________________________________               % w/w                                                                Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                           Butyl    Coupling                                                                            Type of Type of                                          comp. g a.e./l stearate Surfactant agent coupling agent surfactant           __________________________________________________________________________     42-01                                                                              326   1.0 5.0  2.5  Arcosolve DPM                                                                          oleth-20                                         42-02 326  5.0 2.5 Arcosolve DPM oleth-20                                      42-03 163 0.5 2.5  none oleth-20                                               42-04 163  2.5  none oleth-20                                                  42-05 326 1.0 5.0  none ceteareth-27                                           42-06 326 1.0 5.0 2.5 PEG-400 ceteareth-27                                     42-07 326 1.0 5.0 2.5 Dowanol TPNB ceteareth-27                                42-08 326 1.0 5.0 2.5 Dowanol PNB ceteareth-27                                 42-09 163  2.5  none ceteareth-27                                              42-10 326 0.5 5.0  none ceteareth-27                                           42-11 326  5.0 2.5 PEG-400 ceteareth-27                                        42-12 326  5.0 2.5 Dowanol TPNB ceteareth-27                                   42-13 326  5.0 2.5 Dowanol PNB ceteareth-27                                    42-14 163 0.5 2.5  none Neodol 1-9                                             42-15 163 0.5 2.5  none laureth-23                                             42-16 163 0.5 2.5  none steareth-20                                            42-17 163 0.5 2.5  none ceteareth-27                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 42b.

                  TABLE 42b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 150         0         5                                             250 38 20                                                                      350 63 30                                                                      450 70 70                                                                     Formulation C 150 70 75                                                         250 92 94                                                                      350 99 99                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     Formulation J 150 65 50                                                         250 88 92                                                                      350 97 99                                                                      450 98 97                                                                     42-01 150 58 83                                                                 250 77 88                                                                      350 93 96                                                                      450 93 99                                                                     42-02 150 40 76                                                                 250 75 100                                                                     350 92 100                                                                     450 92 100                                                                    42-03 150 48 75                                                                 250 83 96                                                                      350 92 100                                                                     450 99 100                                                                    42-04 150 40 82                                                                 250 78 99                                                                      350 87 99                                                                      450 98 100                                                                    42-05 150 68 92                                                                 250 87 99                                                                      350 95 99                                                                      450 99 99                                                                     42-06 150 55 60                                                                 250 83 99                                                                      350 97 99                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     42-07 150 63 57                                                                 250 80 96                                                                      350 95 97                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     42-08 150 73 75                                                                 250 90 90                                                                      350 95 97                                                                      450 100 97                                                                    42-09 150 73 68                                                                 250 87 73                                                                      350 92 90                                                                      450 97 95                                                                     42-10 150 70 63                                                                 250 87 80                                                                      350 98 94                                                                      450 99 96                                                                     42-11 150 73 60                                                                 250 90 77                                                                      350 99 93                                                                      450 100 95                                                                    42-12 150 72 67                                                                 250 83 75                                                                      350 90 82                                                                      450 99 94                                                                     42-13 150 73 70                                                                 250 80 83                                                                      350 99 94                                                                      450 100 92                                                                    42-14 150 5 20                                                                  250 55 63                                                                      350 77 93                                                                      450 78 99                                                                     42-15 150 43 57                                                                 250 78 88                                                                      350 88 98                                                                      450 90 98                                                                     42-16 150 65 57                                                                 250 83 82                                                                      350 88 98                                                                      450 95 97                                                                     42-17 150 72 50                                                                 250 80 93                                                                      350 88 90                                                                      450 95 97                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The superiority of herbicidal effectiveness provided by C₁₆₋₁₈ alkylethers (oleth-20, ceteareth-27, steareth-20) over that provided by shorter chain alkylethers (Neodol 1-9, laureth-23) was very pronounced in this test.

Example 43

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 43a. Concentrate compositions 43-01 to 43-07 and 43-09 to 43-15 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 43-08 and 43-16 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                  TABLE 43a                                                        ______________________________________                                                 Glypho-                                                                  Concentrate sate % w/w Type of Type of                                       composition                                                                            g a.e./l                                                                               Oil    Surfactant                                                                            oil      surfactant                              ______________________________________                                         43-01   163     0.5    5.0    methyl stearate                                                                         steareth-20                               43-02 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate steareth-20                                   43-03 163 0.5 5.0 methyl oleate steareth-20                                    43-04 163 0.5 5.0 butyl oleate steareth-20                                     43-05 163 0.5 5.0 methyl laurate steareth-20                                   43-06 163 0.5 5.0 butyl laurate steareth-20                                    43-07 163 0.5 5.0 Orchex 796 steareth-20                                       43-08 163  5.0 none steareth-20                                                43-09 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate ceteareth-27                                 43-10 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate ceteareth-27                                  43-11 163 0.5 5.0 methyl oleate ceteareth-27                                   43-12 163 0.5 5.0 butyl oleate ceteareth-27                                    43-13 163 0.5 5.0 methyl laurate ceteareth-27                                  43-14 163 0.5 5.0 butyl laurate ceteareth-27                                   43-15 163 0.5 5.0 Orchex 796 ceteareth-27                                      43-16 163  5.0 none ceteareth-27                                             ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 43b.

                  TABLE 43b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 150         15        5                                             250 57 20                                                                      350 83 50                                                                      450 78 73                                                                     Formulation C 150 65 63                                                         250 87 93                                                                      350 92 94                                                                      450 98 100                                                                    Formulation J 150 50 73                                                         250 90 90                                                                      350 94 98                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     43-01 150 72 70                                                                 250 88 85                                                                      350 96 83                                                                      450 99 86                                                                     43-02 150 73 53                                                                 250 83 87                                                                      350 97 99                                                                      450 97 98                                                                     43-03 150 68 33                                                                 250 87 92                                                                      350 93 97                                                                      450 98 93                                                                     43-04 150 72 50                                                                 250 87 88                                                                      350 94 86                                                                      450 98 97                                                                     43-05 150 72 67                                                                 250 83 82                                                                      350 99 97                                                                      450 98 98                                                                     43-06 150 73 33                                                                 250 95 83                                                                      350 99 95                                                                      450 99 88                                                                     43-07 150 73 55                                                                 250 93 73                                                                      350 95 83                                                                      450 98 91                                                                     43-08 150 75 40                                                                 250 94 60                                                                      350 98 86                                                                      450 99 92                                                                     43-09 150 77 50                                                                 250 90 50                                                                      350 98 92                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     43-10 150 72 53                                                                 250 92 77                                                                      350 96 86                                                                      450 99 99                                                                     43-11 150 72 60                                                                 250 87 87                                                                      350 97 97                                                                      450 97 99                                                                     43-12 150 70 57                                                                 250 90 90                                                                      350 96 96                                                                      450 98 99                                                                     43-13 150 68 40                                                                 250 90 77                                                                      350 99 95                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     43-14 150 77 33                                                                 250 94 70                                                                      350 96 82                                                                      450 99 93                                                                     43-15 150 75 30                                                                 250 96 75                                                                      350 97 88                                                                      450 99 92                                                                     43-16 150 77 40                                                                 250 99 47                                                                      350 98 67                                                                      450 98 78                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Steareth-20 and ceteareth-27, as sole excipient substances (compositions 43-08 and 43-16 respectively) provided excellent herbicidal effectiveness, but further enhancements, especially on ECHCF, were obtained by inclusion of a small amount of fatty acid ester in the composition.

Example 44

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 44a. Process (vii) was followed for concentrate composition 44-08 and process (x) for concentrate compositions 44-01 to 44-07 and 44-09, using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 44a                                                        ______________________________________                                                       % w/w                                                            Concentrate                                                                             Glyphosate          Butyl                                               composition g a.e./l Lecithin stearate MON 0818                              ______________________________________                                         44-01    220        4.0             6.0                                          44-02 220 4.0 0.5 6.0                                                          44-03 220 4.0 1.0 6.0                                                          44-04 220 4.0 2.0 6.0                                                          44-05 220 2.0 0.5 2.0                                                          44-06 220 2.0 0.5 4.0                                                          44-07 220 2.0 0.5 6.0                                                          44-08 220  0.5 6.0                                                             44-09 220 6.0 1.5 6.0                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B and C were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 44b.

                  TABLE 44b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 150         40        59                                            250 68 61                                                                      350 90 91                                                                      450 93 94                                                                     Formulation C 150 74 78                                                         250 93 90                                                                      350 97 96                                                                      450 100 94                                                                    44-01 150 79 85                                                                 250 93 98                                                                      350 96 97                                                                      450 97 95                                                                     44-02 150 71 87                                                                 250 93 96                                                                      350 96 94                                                                      450 98 94                                                                     44-03 150 87 99                                                                 250 94 100                                                                     350 99 97                                                                      450 97 94                                                                     44-04 150 89 100                                                                250 94 99                                                                      350 97 98                                                                      450 98 95                                                                     44-05 150 73 100                                                                250 90 100                                                                     350 95 98                                                                      450 96 94                                                                     44-06 150 80 99                                                                 250 94 96                                                                      350 95 100                                                                     450 99 98                                                                     44-07 150 88 83                                                                 250 94 92                                                                      350 96 92                                                                      450 100 90                                                                    44-08 150 81 91                                                                 250 92 96                                                                      350 97 89                                                                      450 99 92                                                                     44-09 150 90 96                                                                 250 93 93                                                                      350 95 95                                                                      450 94 98                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Herbicidal effectiveness overall was very high under the conditions of this study but a tendency can be discerned in compositions 44-01 to 44-04 for performance to improve as butyl stearate concentration was increased from zero to 2%.

Example 45

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 45a. Concentrate composition 45-08 to 45-14 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 45-15 to 45-17 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii). Concentrate compositions 45-01 to 45-07 contain colloidal particulates and were prepared by process (ix).

Compositions 45-08 to 45-17 (all containing 163 g a.e./l glyphosate) showed acceptable storage stability. However, at a glyphosate loading of 400 g a.e./l (as in compositions 45-01 to 45-07) storage-stable compositions containing 0.5-1% butyl stearate and 5-10% alkylether surfactant could not be made except with the addition of colloidal particulate as shown below.

                  TABLE 45a                                                        ______________________________________                                                     % w/w                                                              Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate                                                                               Butyl   Surfac-                                                                              Aerosil                                                                              Type of                                    composition g a.e./l stearate tant 90 surfactant                             ______________________________________                                         45-01   400       1.0     10.0  1.0   ceteareth-27                               45-02 400 1.0 10.0 1.0 steareth-20                                             45-03 400 0.5 5.0 1.0 ceteareth-27                                             45-04 400 0.5 5.0 1.0 steareth-20                                              45-05 400 1.0 5.0 1.0 ceteareth-27                                             45-06 400 1.0 5.0 1.0 steareth-20                                              45-07 400 1.0 5.0 1.0 steareth-30                                              45-08 163 0.5 5.0  oleth-20                                                    45-09 163 0.5 5.0  steareth-20                                                 45-10 163 0.5 5.0  ceteth-20                                                   45-11 163 0.5 5.0  laureth-23                                                  45-12 163 0.5 5.0  ceteareth-27                                                45-13 163 0.5 5.0  Neodol 25-12                                                45-14 163 0.5 5.0  Neodol 25-20                                                45-15 163  5.0  steareth-20                                                    45-16 163  5.0  ceteth-20                                                      45-17 163  5.0  laureth-23                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 18 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 45b.

                  TABLE 45b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 150         0         40                                            250 20 60                                                                      350 68 82                                                                      450 83 96                                                                     Formulation C 150 68 93                                                         250 93 99                                                                      350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   Formulation J 150 43 89                                                         250 93 100                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-01 150 78 97                                                                 250 96 100                                                                     350 98 100                                                                     450 100 100                                                                   45-02 150 91 98                                                                 250 100 100                                                                    350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-03 150 90 97                                                                 250 99 99                                                                      350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-04 150 77 98                                                                 250 100 100                                                                    350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-05 150 82 93                                                                 250 100 99                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-06 150 83 85                                                                 250 100 99                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-07 150 83 87                                                                 250 100 100                                                                    350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-08 150 90 92                                                                 250 100 100                                                                    350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-09 150 90 85                                                                 250 100 98                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-10 150 80 85                                                                 250 100 92                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-11 150 83 88                                                                 250 96 99                                                                      350 100 98                                                                     450 100 100                                                                   45-12 150 93 85                                                                 250 100 99                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-13 150 72 73                                                                 250 92 97                                                                      350 100 99                                                                     450 100 100                                                                   45-14 150 72 80                                                                 250 99 99                                                                      350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-15 150 100 93                                                                250 100 99                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-16 150 100 98                                                                250 100 100                                                                    350 100 100                                                                    450 100 100                                                                   45-17 150 83 83                                                                 250 100 99                                                                     350 100 99                                                                     450 100 99                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Outstanding herbicidal effectiveness was provided by compositions containing C₁₆₋₁₈ alkylether surfactants (ceteareth-27, steareth-20, steareth-30, oleth-20, ceteth-20). High-loaded (400 g a.e./l) glyphosate compositions containing a C₁₆₋₁₈ alkylether surfactant, butyl stearate and a colloidal particulate (Aerosil 90) to stabilize the compositions performed especially impressively in this test.

Example 46

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 46a. Process (v) was followed for compositions 46-01 to 46-12, 46-15 and 46-16, and process (x) for compositions 46-13 and 46-14, using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti). Order of addition of ingredients was varied for certain compositions as indicated below.

                                      TABLE 46a                                    __________________________________________________________________________                 % w/w                 Order of                                     Concentrate                                                                          Glyphosate                                                                               Fluorad                                                                              Benzal-                                                                             Butyl                                                                              MON                                                                               addition                                       composition g/l a.e. Lecithin FC-754/135 konium Cl stearate 0818             __________________________________________________________________________                                       (*)                                            46-01 345 4.0  0.66                                                            46-02 345 4.0  1.00                                                            46-03 347 3.0  3.00                                                            46-04 347 4.0  4.00                                                            46-05 347 4.0  5.00                                                            46-06 345 4.6  4.60                                                            46-07 348 4.0 2.0 (754) 1.10                                                   46-08 351 4.0 4.0 (754) 1.00   A                                               46-09 346 3.9 4.2 (754) 1.00   B                                               46-10 350 4.0 2.0 (135) 1.10                                                   46-11 352 4.0 4.0 (135) 1.00   A                                               46-12 349 4.0 4.0 (135) 1.00   B                                               46-13 348 4.0 4.0 (754) 0.50 0.57                                              46-14 347 4.0  0.50 0.52                                                       46-15 348 3.7  0.48  3.7                                                       46-16 348 4.0  0.58  4.0                                                     __________________________________________________________________________     (*) Order of addition                                                             1st   2nd    3.sup.rd 4th    5th                                            __________________________________________________________________________       A lecithin water Benzalkonium Cl FC-135/754 glyphosate                         B glyphosate FC-135/754 Benzalkonium Cl water glyphosate                     __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 21 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 46b.

                  TABLE 46b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         5         5                                             200 15 20                                                                      300 47 30                                                                      400 65 37                                                                     Formulation J 100 0 8                                                           200 70 37                                                                      300 78 70                                                                      400 83 73                                                                     46-01 100 3 10                                                                  200 17 27                                                                      300 45 37                                                                      400 75 40                                                                     46-02 100 2 5                                                                   200 13 30                                                                      300 43 40                                                                      400 75 47                                                                     46-03 100 0 8                                                                   200 17 43                                                                      300 65 78                                                                      400 78 83                                                                     46-04 100 2 10                                                                  200 30 37                                                                      300 68 72                                                                      400 75 88                                                                     46-05 100 2 20                                                                  200 25 65                                                                      300 63 88                                                                      400 82 83                                                                     46-06 100 10 17                                                                 200 25 33                                                                      300 47 77                                                                      400 83 75                                                                     46-07 100 0 10                                                                  200 48 30                                                                      300 73 37                                                                      400 83 43                                                                     46-08 100 3 10                                                                  200 33 30                                                                      300 68 37                                                                      400 78 40                                                                     46-09 100 5 10                                                                  200 40 27                                                                      300 65 50                                                                      400 70 57                                                                     46-10 100 0 10                                                                  200 30 27                                                                      300 67 40                                                                      400 73 40                                                                     46-11 100 0 10                                                                  200 33 27                                                                      300 52 37                                                                      400 82 40                                                                     46-12 100 0 10                                                                  200 40 20                                                                      300 65 40                                                                      400 72 40                                                                     46-13 100 0 10                                                                  200 40 20                                                                      300 60 33                                                                      400 78 33                                                                     46-14 100 0 10                                                                  200 7 47                                                                       300 28 33                                                                      400 43 43                                                                     46-15 100 0 13                                                                  200 27 33                                                                      300 73 53                                                                      400 77 67                                                                     46-16 100 0 13                                                                  200 30 37                                                                      300 75 47                                                                      400 77 68                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Most concentrate compositions of this Example showed enhanced glyphosate effectiveness by comparison with Formulation B but did not equal the efficacy of commercial standard Formulation J in this test.

Example 47

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 47a. Concentrate composition 47-01 to 47-09, 47-11 to 47-14, 47-16 and 47-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 47-10 and 47-15 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                                      TABLE 47a                                    __________________________________________________________________________               % w/w                                                                Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                              Oleth-                                                                             Other                                                                               Type of  Other                                             comp. g a.e./l Oil 20 surfactant oil surfactant                              __________________________________________________________________________     47-01                                                                              163   0.25                                                                              2.5      methyl laurate                                             47-02 163 0.25 2.5  methyl myristate                                           47-03 163 0.25 2.5  methyl palmitoleate                                        47-04 163 0.25 2.5  methyl palmitate                                           47-05 163 0.25 2.5  methyl linoleate                                           47-06 163 0.25 2.5  methyl oleate                                              47-07 163 0.25 2.5  methyl stearate                                            47-08 163 0.25 2.5  ethyl stearate                                             47-09 163 0.25 2.5  butyl stearate                                             47-10 163  2.5  none                                                           47-11 163 0.25  2.5 methyl palmitoleate MON 0818                               47-12 163 0.25  2.5 methyl palmitate MON 0818                                  47-13 163 0.25  2.5 methyl oleate MON 0818                                     47-14 163 0.25  2.5 methyl stearate MON 0818                                   47-15 163   2.5 none MON 0818                                                  47-16 163 0.25  2.5 butyl stearate laureth-23                                  47-17 163 0.25  2.5 butyl stearate Neodol 1-9                                __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 20 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 16 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 47b.

                  TABLE 47b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         2         35                                            200 52 67                                                                      300 77 83                                                                      400 78 87                                                                     Formulation C 100 25 77                                                         200 72 99                                                                      300 87 100                                                                     400 99 100                                                                    Formulation J 100 13 73                                                         200 70 97                                                                      300 90 100                                                                     400 97 100                                                                    47-01 100 22 55                                                                 200 65 86                                                                      300 78 98                                                                      400 89 98                                                                     47-02 100 20 63                                                                 200 67 91                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    47-03 100 30 75                                                                 200 63 98                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 94 100                                                                    47-04 100 23 63                                                                 200 60 98                                                                      300 90 99                                                                      400 95 100                                                                    47-05 100 27 57                                                                 200 62 91                                                                      300 83 96                                                                      400 93 98                                                                     47-06 100 23 50                                                                 200 63 89                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 96 99                                                                     47-07 100 25 53                                                                 200 65 94                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 92 99                                                                     47-08 100 13 47                                                                 200 53 88                                                                      300 89 97                                                                      400 95 99                                                                     47-09 100 27 53                                                                 200 60 85                                                                      300 83 97                                                                      400 97 98                                                                     47-10 100 13 53                                                                 200 62 94                                                                      300 83 97                                                                      400 88 99                                                                     47-11 100 23 60                                                                 200 50 90                                                                      300 85 98                                                                      400 95 99                                                                     47-12 100 17 55                                                                 200 35 94                                                                      300 78 98                                                                      400 94 99                                                                     47-13 100 8 50                                                                  200 43 90                                                                      300 73 98                                                                      400 90 99                                                                     47-14 100 30 63                                                                 200 45 92                                                                      300 80 98                                                                      400 94 98                                                                     47-15 100 20 63                                                                 200 70 96                                                                      300 82 99                                                                      400 94 98                                                                     47-16 100 18 62                                                                 200 62 83                                                                      300 80 97                                                                      400 97 97                                                                     47-17 100 17 52                                                                 200 58 85                                                                      300 75 90                                                                      400 95 98                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

No great or consistent enhancement of herbicidal effectiveness of glyphosate compositions containing oleth-20 was obtained by adding a small amount of any of a variety of fatty acid esters in this study (compare 47-10 with 47-01 to 47-09).

Example 48

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 48a. Concentrate composition 48-01 to 48-09, 48-11 to 48-14, 48-16 and 48-17 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 48-10 and 48-15 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                                      TABLE 48a                                    __________________________________________________________________________                 % w/w                                                              Concentrate                                                                          Glyphosate                                                                              Oleth-                                                                             Other                                                                               Type of  Other                                           composition g a.e./l Oil 20 surfactant oil surfactant                        __________________________________________________________________________     48-01 163   0.25                                                                              2.5      isopropyl myristate                                      48-02 163 0.25 2.5  ethyl myristate                                            48-03 163 0.25 2.5  methyl palmitate                                           48-04 163 0.25 2.5  ethyl palmitate                                            48-05 163 0.25 2.5  ethyl linoleate                                            48-06 163 0.25 2.5  ethyl oleate                                               48-07 163 0.25 2.5  methyl stearate                                            48-08 163 0.25 2.5  ethyl stearate                                             48-09 163 0.25 2.5  butyl stearate                                             48-10 163  2.5  none                                                           48-11 163 0.25  2.5 methyl palmitate MON 0818                                  48-12 163 0.25  2.5 methyl stearate MON 0818                                   48-13 163 0.25  2.5 ethyl stearate MON 0818                                    48-14 163 0.25  2.5 ethyl oleate MON 0818                                      48-15 163   2.5 none MON 0818                                                  48-16 163 0.25  2.5 butyl stearate laureth-23                                  48-17 163 0.25  2.5 butyl stearate Neodol 1-9                                __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 48b.

                  TABLE 48b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         12        33                                            200 45 43                                                                      300 73 63                                                                      400 80 63                                                                     Formulation C 100 43 57                                                         200 75 88                                                                      300 95 99                                                                      400 100 99                                                                    Formulation J 100 53 60                                                         200 77 75                                                                      300 96 95                                                                      400 99 98                                                                     48-01 100 35 40                                                                 200 73 72                                                                      300 83 91                                                                      400 99 97                                                                     48-02 100 38 30                                                                 200 70 43                                                                      300 87 82                                                                      400 96 80                                                                     48-03 100 25 27                                                                 200 68 50                                                                      300 90 73                                                                      400 96 82                                                                     48-04 100 27 27                                                                 200 75 50                                                                      300 80 73                                                                      400 96 80                                                                     48-05 100 33 27                                                                 200 68 43                                                                      300 83 70                                                                      400 97 91                                                                     48-06 100 33 28                                                                 200 72 53                                                                      300 83 60                                                                      400 99 70                                                                     48-07 100 37 25                                                                 200 72 40                                                                      300 83 50                                                                      400 97 65                                                                     48-08 100 32 25                                                                 200 73 43                                                                      300 87 60                                                                      400 98 67                                                                     48-09 100 35 25                                                                 200 75 43                                                                      300 95 57                                                                      400 98 63                                                                     48-10 100 35 27                                                                 200 73 40                                                                      300 83 76                                                                      400 97 73                                                                     48-11 100 35 33                                                                 200 67 67                                                                      300 80 86                                                                      400 92 70                                                                     48-12 100 25 30                                                                 200 67 70                                                                      300 83 76                                                                      400 88 80                                                                     48-13 100 27 33                                                                 200 70 66                                                                      300 78 63                                                                      400 93 60                                                                     48-14 100 33 30                                                                 200 67 47                                                                      300 80 70                                                                      400 92 77                                                                     48-15 100 20 30                                                                 200 68 40                                                                      300 83 75                                                                      400 90 72                                                                     48-16 100 30 25                                                                 200 62 43                                                                      300 73 73                                                                      400 77 70                                                                     48-17 100 30 23                                                                 200 58 40                                                                      300 75 60                                                                      400 80 73                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

In this study, isopropyl myristate (composition 48-01) was the most effective of the fatty acid esters tested as additives to oleth-20 (48-10) in glyphosate compositions.

Example 49

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 49a. Concentrate composition 49-01 to 49-09 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 49-14 to 49-17 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii).

                  TABLE 49a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Con                                                                              centrate Glypho-                                                               compo- sate g % w/w Type of Type of                                          sition                                                                               a.e./l  Oil    Surfactant                                                                            oil       surfactant                               ______________________________________                                         49-01 163     0.25   2.5    butyl stearate                                                                           laureth-23                                 49-02 163 0.25 2.5 butyl stearate steareth-20                                  49-03 163 0.25 2.5 butyl stearate ceteareth-20                                 49-04 163 0.25 2.5 butyl stearate ceteareth-15                                 49-05 163 0.25 2.5 butyl stearate Neodol 44-13                                 49-06 163 0.25 2.5 methyl stearate steareth-20                                 49-07 163 0.25 2.5 methyl stearate ceteareth-20                                49-08 163 0.25 2.5 methyl stearate ceteareth-15                                49-09 163 0.25 2.5 methyl stearate Neodol 44-13                                49-10 163 0.25 2.5 methyl palmitate steareth-20                                49-11 163 0.25 2.5 methyl palmitate ceteareth-20                               49-12 163 0.25 2.5 methyl palmitate ceteareth-15                               49-13 163 0.25 2.5 methyl palmitate Neodol 44-13                               49-14 163  2.5 none steareth-20                                                49-15 163  2.5 none ceteareth-20                                               49-16 163  2.5 none ceteareth-15                                               49-17 163  2.5 none Neodol 44-13                                             ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 24 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 16 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 49b.

                  TABLE 49b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         10        37                                            200 30 40                                                                      300 43 57                                                                      400 23 33                                                                     Formulation C 100 50 67                                                         200 75 96                                                                      300 85 99                                                                      400 94 100                                                                    Formulation J 100 40 75                                                         200 73 94                                                                      300 93 98                                                                      400 95 99                                                                     49-01 100 63 77                                                                 200 67 94                                                                      300 77 99                                                                      400 88 96                                                                     49-02 100 63 75                                                                 200 83 88                                                                      300 93 98                                                                      400 95 99                                                                     49-03 100 67 75                                                                 200 82 95                                                                      300 95 99                                                                      400 98 99                                                                     49-04 100 60 75                                                                 200 82 97                                                                      300 96 99                                                                      400 98 100                                                                    49-05 100 63 73                                                                 200 75 89                                                                      300 80 98                                                                      400 87 97                                                                     49-06 100 58 63                                                                 200 78 93                                                                      300 93 99                                                                      400 98 100                                                                    49-07 100 60 67                                                                 200 78 93                                                                      300 93 99                                                                      400 100 99                                                                    49-08 100 missing missing                                                       200 missing missing                                                            300 78 95                                                                      400 98 99                                                                     49-09 100 23 30                                                                 200 65 83                                                                      300 80 98                                                                      400 93 99                                                                     49-10 100 65 67                                                                 200 83 95                                                                      300 97 99                                                                      400 99 99                                                                     49-11 100 72 73                                                                 200 90 98                                                                      300 96 97                                                                      400 99 99                                                                     49-12 100 68 63                                                                 200 90 92                                                                      300 98 99                                                                      400 97 99                                                                     49-13 100 43 73                                                                 200 72 87                                                                      300 83 98                                                                      400 93 96                                                                     49-14 100 62 77                                                                 200 78 99                                                                      300 95 99                                                                      400 98 100                                                                    49-15 100 52 60                                                                 200 78 93                                                                      300 94 98                                                                      400 97 99                                                                     49-16 100 38 68                                                                 200 68 99                                                                      300 87 97                                                                      400 94 99                                                                     49-17 100 55 75                                                                 200 68 91                                                                      300 83 96                                                                      400 87 98                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Herbicidal effectiveness exceeding that of commercial standard composition J, at least on ABUTH, was recorded with several compositions, including 49-02 (steareth-20 plus butyl stearate), 49-03 (ceteareth-20 plus butyl stearate), 49-04 (ceteareth-15 plus butyl stearate), 49-10 (steareth-20 plus methyl palmitate), 49-11 (ceteareth-20 plus methyl palmitate) and 49-12 (ceteareth-15 plus methyl palmitate). Compositions lacking fatty acid ester performed slightly less well overall than those containing butyl stearate or methyl palmitate.

Example 50

Spray compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 50a. Compositions were prepared by simple mixing of ingredients. Soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti), where included, was first prepared with sonication in water to make a homogeneous composition. Four different concentrations of glyphosate (not shown in Table 50a) were prepared, calculated to provide, when applied in a spray volume of 93 l/ha, the glyphosate rates shown in Table 50b.

                                      TABLE 50a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                                                          Spray   Fluorad                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Methyl                                                                             Oleth-                                                                             Lecithin                                                                               Methyl oleate                                    comp. Lecithin FC-754 stearate oleate 20 supplied as supplied as             __________________________________________________________________________     50-01                                                                              0.05                                                                               0.050           soybean lecithin                                         50-02 0.05  0.050   soybean lecithin                                           50-03 0.05     soybean lecithin                                                50-04  0.050                                                                   50-05   0.050                                                                  50-06 0.05     LI-700                                                          50-07   0.005  0.05                                                            50-08    0.01 0.05                                                             50-09     0.05                                                                 50-10   0.005                                                                  50-11    0.01   pure                                                           50-12    0.01   methylated seed oil                                          __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and Prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF and 21 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 14 days after application.

Formulations B and C were applied as comparative treatments, representing technical glyphosate IPA salt and a commercial formulation of glyphosate IPA salt respectively. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 50b.

                  TABLE 50b                                                        ______________________________________                                                  Glyphosate rate                                                                         % Inhibition                                                 Spray composition                                                                         g a.e./ha  ABUTH    ECHCF  SIDSP                                    ______________________________________                                         Formulation B                                                                             50         0        0      0                                          (technical) 100 38 35 35                                                        200 87 50 90                                                                   300 95 88 94                                                                  Formulation C 50 0 2 0                                                         (commercial) 100 32 55 25                                                       200 85 97 93                                                                   300 96 99 96                                                                  50-01 50 78 53 88                                                               100 90 60 95                                                                   200 99 96 99                                                                   300 99 97 98                                                                  50-02 50 25 15 43                                                               100 72 30 82                                                                   200 94 62 93                                                                   300 95 77 94                                                                  50-03 50 20 8 32                                                                100 52 22 78                                                                   200 87 55 91                                                                   300 95 65 93                                                                  50-04 50 62 37 85                                                               100 82 68 92                                                                   200 97 96 95                                                                   300 98 95 97                                                                  50-05 50 15 10 25                                                               100 47 27 23                                                                   200 85 62 87                                                                   300 90 63 92                                                                  50-06 50 0 2 0                                                                  100 20 15 20                                                                   200 85 60 82                                                                   300 90 65 90                                                                  50-07 50 67 27 82                                                               100 87 55 93                                                                   200 94 92 96                                                                   300 97 99 97                                                                  50-08 50 62 30 75                                                               100 78 63 91                                                                   200 93 96 96                                                                   300 94 98 98                                                                  50-09 50 65 45 77                                                               100 80 73 95                                                                   200 93 98 97                                                                   300 95 99 99                                                                  50-10 50 10 25 5                                                                100 23 35 37                                                                   200 90 50 93                                                                   300 92 73 94                                                                  50-11 50 10 25 0                                                                100 52 33 43                                                                   200 88 72 93                                                                   300 94 78 94                                                                  50-12 50 0 15 0                                                                 100 43 35 33                                                                   200 91 70 90                                                                   300 94 82 93                                                                ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using glyphosate as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (50-05) did not greatly enhance effectiveness.

The combination of lecithin and butyl stearate (50-02) gave surprisingly strong enhancement of effectiveness, suggesting a synergistic interaction between these two excipient substances.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (50-09) gave extremely high effectiveness, superior to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (50-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (50-08) did not provide further enhancement.

Example 51

Spray compositions were prepared containing paraquat dichloride and excipient ingredients. Compositions 51-01 to 51-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH, 8 days after planting ECHCF and 21 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 12 days after application.

Standards included technical paraquat dichloride and Gramoxone, a commercial formulation of paraquat from Zeneca. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 51.

                  TABLE 51                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Paraquat rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                                 Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha  ABUTH    ECHCF  SIDSP                                    ______________________________________                                         Paraquat dichloride                                                                       25        50        83     55                                         (technical) 50 57 78 60                                                         100 73 84 69                                                                   200 85 95 99                                                                  Gramoxone 25 40 72 40                                                          (commercial) 50 60 70 52                                                        100 72 58 55                                                                   200 72 89 63                                                                  51-01 25 75 93 67                                                               50 82 97 91                                                                    100 95 98 97                                                                   200 100 99 99                                                                 51-02 25 67 80 48                                                               50 68 87 65                                                                    100 88 97 93                                                                   200 96 99 98                                                                  51-03 25 55 65 42                                                               50 62 87 65                                                                    100 83 96 93                                                                   200 95 99 97                                                                  51-04 25 53 82 45                                                               50 63 94 53                                                                    100 88 99 86                                                                   200 92 99 98                                                                  51-05 25 58 67 50                                                               50 60 62 45                                                                    100 70 73 62                                                                   200 85 90 88                                                                  51-06 25 53 77 43                                                               50 60 92 40                                                                    100 80 93 55                                                                   200 96 99 78                                                                  51-07 25 65 80 45                                                               50 82 92 70                                                                    100 96 96 89                                                                   200 100 98 99                                                                 51-08 25 67 80 37                                                               50 82 90 71                                                                    100 97 98 65                                                                   200 99 99 93                                                                  51-09 25 72 90 50                                                               50 80 97 57                                                                    100 91 99 94                                                                   200 97 100 97                                                                 51-10 25 67 87 45                                                               50 68 75 57                                                                    100 78 93 63                                                                   200 82 97 82                                                                  51-11 25 65 80 45                                                               50 73 77 62                                                                    100 90 95 62                                                                   200 94 98 78                                                                  51-12 25 67 78 37                                                               50 75 90 55                                                                    100 77 97 90                                                                   200 85 99 92                                                                ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using paraquat as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (51-05) did not enhance effectiveness.

The combination of lecithin and butyl stearate (51-02) gave surprisingly strong enhancement of effectiveness, suggesting a synergistic interaction between these two excipient substances.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (51-09) gave extremely high effectiveness, superior to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (51-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (51-08) did not provide further enhancement.

Example 52

Spray compositions were prepared containing acifluorfen sodium salt and excipient ingredients. Compositions 52-01 to 52-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 15 days after planting ABUTH, 9 days after planting ECHCF and 22 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 10 days after application.

Standards included technical acifluorfen sodium and Blazer, a commercial formulation of acifluorfen from Rohm & Haas. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 52.

                  TABLE 52                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Acifluorfen rate                                                                         % Inhibition                                                Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha   ABUTH    ECHCF  SIDSP                                   ______________________________________                                         Acifluorfen                                                                               25          20       2      15                                        (technical) 50 32 7 17                                                          100 52 18 35                                                                   200 62 35 40                                                                  Blazer 25 30 30 5                                                              (commercial) 50 53 53 12                                                        100 55 55 7                                                                    200 65 65 32                                                                  52-01 25 60 7 20                                                                50 63 20 20                                                                    100 65 43 33                                                                   200 80 70 48                                                                  52-02 25 25 7 5                                                                 50 42 12 25                                                                    100 60 30 22                                                                   200 68 68 50                                                                  52-03 25 22 5 10                                                                50 55 7 33                                                                     100 62 25 27                                                                   200 65 55 48                                                                  52-04 25 57 7 13                                                                50 67 10 32                                                                    100 67 35 32                                                                   200 70 70 45                                                                  52-05 25 30 3 15                                                                50 47 27 27                                                                    100 55 42 37                                                                   200 65 60 38                                                                  52-06 25 28 0 3                                                                 50 50 0 10                                                                     100 55 30 25                                                                   200 67 58 47                                                                  52-07 25 35 20 17                                                               50 55 35 27                                                                    100 58 63 32                                                                   200 67 67 55                                                                  52-08 25 40 20 8                                                                50 57 30 28                                                                    100 60 60 30                                                                   200 70 77 48                                                                  52-09 25 47 20 22                                                               50 55 35 35                                                                    100 62 65 38                                                                   200 68 82 50                                                                  52-10 25 28 0 5                                                                 50 48 0 10                                                                     100 53 5 25                                                                    200 62 35 40                                                                  52-11 25 35 0 5                                                                 50 43 0 30                                                                     100 50 0 35                                                                    200 65 43 47                                                                  52-12 25 40 5 5                                                                 50 55 18 35                                                                    100 60 47 38                                                                   200 70 62 48                                                                ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using acifluorfen as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate at 0.05% alone (52-05) and in combination with lecithin (52-02) enhanced effectiveness, particularly on ECHCF.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (52-09) gave effectiveness superior to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (52-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (52-08) did not provide further enhancement.

Example 53

Spray compositions were prepared containing asulam and excipient ingredients. Compositions 53-01 to 53-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH, 11 days after planting ECHCF and 21 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 14 days after application.

Standards included technical asulam and Asulox, a commercial formulation of asulam from Rhone-Poulenc. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 53.

                  TABLE 53                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Asulam rate                                                                            % Inhibition                                                  Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha ABUTH     ECHCF  SIDSP                                    ______________________________________                                         Asulam     200       0         12     0                                          (technical) 400 17 27 5                                                         800 48 32 20                                                                   1400 42 50 37                                                                 Asulox 200 3 5 0                                                               (commercial) 400 27 30 20                                                       800 52 45 25                                                                   1400 50 60 40                                                                 53-01 200 5 8 13                                                                400 23 45 22                                                                   800 50 50 30                                                                   1400 60 65 48                                                                 53-02 200 0 20 17                                                               400 33 40 20                                                                   800 47 48 33                                                                   1400 53 68 55                                                                 53-03 200 3 20 3                                                                400 28 52 7                                                                    800 50 50 23                                                                   1400 50 58 43                                                                 53-04 200 3 40 7                                                                400 35 45 18                                                                   800 52 50 25                                                                   1400 58 60 42                                                                 53-05 200 0 10 3                                                                400 23 30 18                                                                   800 33 50 32                                                                   1400 45 57 38                                                                 53-06 200 2 30 10                                                               400 8 47 17                                                                    800 50 55 28                                                                   1400 52 63 40                                                                 53-07 200 0 43 3                                                                400 22 48 17                                                                   800 40 55 28                                                                   1400 52 60 33                                                                 53-08 200 7 47 22                                                               400 20 48 22                                                                   800 53 55 30                                                                   1400 57 60 33                                                                 53-09 200 0 45 7                                                                400 25 50 7                                                                    800 53 60 32                                                                   1400 55 63 37                                                                 53-10 200 22 37 10                                                              400 27 45 10                                                                   800 50 43 23                                                                   1400 52 52 27                                                                 53-11 200 25 33 5                                                               400 15 37 13                                                                   800 48 42 25                                                                   1400 42 52 28                                                                 53-12 200 3 25 17                                                               400 13 42 18                                                                   800 50 45 30                                                                   1400 52 50 33                                                               ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using asulam as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (53-05) enhanced effectiveness on ECHCF.

The combination of lecithin and butyl stearate (53-02) gave greater enhancement of effectiveness than either excipient substance alone.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (53-09) gave, at low exogenous chemical rates, effectiveness on ECHCF superior to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (53-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (53-08) did not provide further enhancement.

Example 54

Spray compositions were prepared containing dicamba sodium salt and excipient ingredients. Compositions 54-01 to 54-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH, 8 days after planting ECHCF and 21 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 17 days after application.

Standards included technical dicamba sodium and Banvel, a commercial formulation of dicamba from Sandoz. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 54.

                  TABLE 54                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Dicamba rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                                  Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha ABUTH     ECHCF  SIDSP                                    ______________________________________                                         Dicamba    25        47        0      30                                         (technical) 50 63 0 40                                                          100 82 0 50                                                                    200 93 5 58                                                                   Banvel 25 47 0 35                                                              (commercial) 50 68 0 40                                                         100 91 0 53                                                                    200 93 3 63                                                                   54-01 25 42 0 38                                                                50 67 0 48                                                                     100 92 0 67                                                                    200 93 3 73                                                                   54-02 25 43 0 43                                                                50 58 0 50                                                                     100 85 0 62                                                                    200 89 8 72                                                                   54-03 25 50 0 32                                                                50 65 0 45                                                                     100 90 0 60                                                                    200 94 13 68                                                                  54-04 25 43 0 35                                                                50 65 0 42                                                                     100 94 0 53                                                                    200 94 13 67                                                                  54-05 25 50 0 35                                                                50 68 0 40                                                                     100 88 0 53                                                                    200 92 15 60                                                                  54-06 25 40 0 40                                                                50 65 0 45                                                                     100 88 0 52                                                                    200 92 8 70                                                                   54-07 25 45 0 42                                                                50 57 0 45                                                                     100 88 0 62                                                                    200 88 20 68                                                                  54-08 25 40 0 38                                                                50 62 0 45                                                                     100 97 18 62                                                                   200 93 17 73                                                                  54-09 25 33 0 35                                                                50 60 0 45                                                                     100 93 0 63                                                                    200 96 15 73                                                                  54-10 25 35 0 30                                                                50 57 0 43                                                                     100 90 0 50                                                                    200 90 3 70                                                                   54-11 25 45 0 30                                                                50 53 0 42                                                                     100 89 0 55                                                                    200 92 0 73                                                                   54-12 25 38 0 37                                                                50 60 0 45                                                                     100 96 0 52                                                                    200 93 0 70                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using dicamba as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (54-05) provided slight enhancement of effectiveness.

The combination of lecithin and butyl stearate (54-02) gave greater enhancement of effectiveness on SIDSP than either of these two excipient substances alone.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (54-09) gave effectiveness on SIDSP superior to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (54-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (54-08) did not provide significant further enhancement.

Example 55

Spray compositions were prepared containing metsulfuron-methyl and excipient ingredients. Compositions 55-01 to 55-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH, 8 days after planting ECHCF and 21 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 14 days after application.

Standards included technical metsulfuron-methyl and Ally, a commercial formulation of metsulfuron from Du Pont. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 55.

                  TABLE 55                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Metsulfuron rate                                                                         % Inhibition                                                Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha   ABUTH    ECHCF  SIDSP                                   ______________________________________                                         Metsulfuron                                                                               0.5         72       0      5                                         (technical) 1 90 0 23                                                           5 96 0 50                                                                      10 97 30 55                                                                   Ally 0.5 75 0 5                                                                (commercial) 1 85 0 22                                                          5 95 0 42                                                                      10 97 25 53                                                                   55-01 0.5 95 0 47                                                               1 96 20 53                                                                     5 97 25 62                                                                     10 98 45 62                                                                   55-02 0.5 87 0 40                                                               1 90 10 55                                                                     5 95 10 58                                                                     10 96 40 63                                                                   55-03 0.5 87 0 27                                                               1 90 0 40                                                                      5 96 10 57                                                                     10 97 33 63                                                                   55-04 0.5 90 0 33                                                               1 95 10 50                                                                     5 98 17 62                                                                     10 99 28 58                                                                   55-05 0.5 85 0 27                                                               1 90 0 33                                                                      5 95 0 47                                                                      10 95 13 60                                                                   55-06 0.5 77 0 30                                                               1 89 10 47                                                                     5 96 17 62                                                                     10 98 33 60                                                                   55-07 0.5 94 0 55                                                               1 97 10 60                                                                     5 98 43 60                                                                     10 97 55 65                                                                   55-08 0.5 93 0 55                                                               1 96 5 58                                                                      5 97 42 60                                                                     10 97 50 60                                                                   55-09 0.5 93 0 55                                                               1 97 10 62                                                                     5 98 55 62                                                                     10 98 65 63                                                                   55-10 0.5 85 0 28                                                               1 82 0 30                                                                      5 95 10 52                                                                     10 96 17 57                                                                   55-11 0.5 73 0 25                                                               1 88 20 28                                                                     5 94 25 53                                                                     10 96 32 57                                                                   55-12 0.5 75 0 32                                                               1 85 20 37                                                                     5 94 23 55                                                                     10 96 25 57                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using metsulfuron as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (55-05) enhanced effectiveness to a level superior to that obtained with the commercial standard.

The combination of lecithin and butyl stearate (55-02) gave greater enhancement of effectiveness than was obtained with either of these two excipient substances alone.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (55-09) gave high effectiveness, superior to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (55-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (55-08) did not provide further enhancement.

Example 56

Spray compositions were prepared containing imazethapyr and excipient ingredients. Compositions 56-01 to 56-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH, 14 days after planting ECHCF and 21 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 14 days after application.

Standards included technical imazethapyr and Pursuit, a commercial formulation of imazethapyr from American Cyanamid. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 56.

                  TABLE 56                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Imazethapyr rate                                                                         % Inhibition                                                Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha   ABUTH    ECHCF  SIDSP                                   ______________________________________                                         Imazethapyr                                                                               5           78       5      20                                        (technical) 10 83 20 30                                                         25 93 35 40                                                                    50 94 53 50                                                                   Pursuit 5 70 5 25                                                              (commercial) 10 73 33 30                                                        25 90 50 42                                                                    50 93 62 57                                                                   56-01 5 70 45 35                                                                10 75 62 52                                                                    25 92 63 57                                                                    50 93 72 62                                                                   56-02 5 73 57 32                                                                10 75 67 43                                                                    25 90 70 52                                                                    50 92 72 57                                                                   56-03 5 70 42 27                                                                10 78 42 35                                                                    25 90 53 45                                                                    50 92 62 52                                                                   56-04 5 73 55 33                                                                10 77 68 45                                                                    25 93 68 47                                                                    50 94 68 60                                                                   56-05 5 73 47 32                                                                10 73 45 40                                                                    25 90 62 47                                                                    50 91 68 52                                                                   56-06 5 78 72 30                                                                10 83 70 35                                                                    25 93 77 62                                                                    50 94 78 58                                                                   56-07 5 82 75 38                                                                10 90 90 52                                                                    25 93 93 53                                                                    50 97 97 62                                                                   56-08 5 75 77 38                                                                10 90 92 50                                                                    25 95 93 57                                                                    50 97 99 63                                                                   56-09 5 78 80 40                                                                10 83 89 63                                                                    25 93 93 62                                                                    50 96 93 60                                                                   56-10 5 85 50 37                                                                10 77 50 45                                                                    25 91 63 48                                                                    50 93 75 57                                                                   56-11 5 75 38 43                                                                10 80 38 37                                                                    25 92 62 45                                                                    50 93 73 53                                                                   56-12 5 75 55 38                                                                10 83 60 43                                                                    25 92 67 53                                                                    50 93 77 55                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using imazethapyr as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (56-05) significantly enhanced effectiveness on ECHCF and slightly on SIDSP.

The combination of lecithin and butyl stearate (56-02) gave enhancement of effectiveness on ECHCF greater than that obtained with either of these two excipient substances alone.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (56-09) gave extremely high effectiveness, greatly superior to that obtained with the commercial standard, especially on ECHCF. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (56-07) further enhanced performance of low exogenous chemical rates on ABUTH more effectively than addition of 0.01% methyl oleate (56-08).

Example 57

Spray compositions were prepared containing fluazifop-p-butyl and excipient ingredients. Compositions 57-01 to 57-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and broadleaf signalgrass (Brachiaria platyphylla, BRAPP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 15 days after planting ABUTH, 15 days after planting ECHCF and 16 days after planting BRAPP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 10 days after application.

Standards included technical fluazifop-p-butyl and Fusilade 5, a commercial formulation of fluazifop-p-butyl from Zeneca. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 57.

                  TABLE 57                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Fluazifop-p rate                                                                         % Inhibition                                                Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha   ABUTH    ECHCF  BRAPP                                   ______________________________________                                         Fluazifop-p-butyl                                                                         2           0        0      20                                        (technical) 5 0 3 35                                                            15 5 45 65                                                                     30 5 57 78                                                                    Fusilade 5 2 0 0 27                                                            (commercial) 5 0 27 33                                                          15 5 52 78                                                                     30 7 75 85                                                                    57-01 2 0 0 20                                                                  5 2 27 30                                                                      15 5 58 78                                                                     30 10 87 83                                                                   57-02 2 0 7 25                                                                  5 0 35 30                                                                      15 2 58 75                                                                     30 8 78 75                                                                    57-03 2 0 0 18                                                                  5 0 8 27                                                                       15 0 45 75                                                                     30 0 55 75                                                                    57-04 2 0 20 32                                                                 5 2 42 25                                                                      15 2 55 72                                                                     30 5 80 78                                                                    57-05 2 0 13 32                                                                 5 2 42 32                                                                      15 2 55 72                                                                     30 7 58 73                                                                    57-06 2 2 17 23                                                                 5 0 20 25                                                                      15 0 50 75                                                                     30 0 73 77                                                                    57-07 2 0 50 40                                                                 5 0 52 60                                                                      15 0 67 80                                                                     30 0 92 85                                                                    57-08 2 0 43 35                                                                 5 0 55 37                                                                      15 7 88 82                                                                     30 3 96 85                                                                    57-09 2 0 47 18                                                                 5 0 50 35                                                                      15 0 80 80                                                                     30 3 93 85                                                                    57-10 2 0 23 10                                                                 5 0 37 42                                                                      15 5 55 75                                                                     30 10 58 80                                                                   57-11 2 0 7 10                                                                  5 0 30 28                                                                      15 0 50 62                                                                     30 12 53 68                                                                   57-12 2 0 5 20                                                                  5 0 7 35                                                                       15 5 48 68                                                                     30 12 60 77                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using fluazifop-p-butyl as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (57-05) and in combination with lecithin (57-02) enhanced effectiveness, especially on ECHCF.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (57-09) gave extremely high effectiveness on ECHCF, superior to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (57-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (57-08) did not provide significant further enhancement.

Example 58

Spray compositions were prepared containing alachlor and excipient ingredients. Compositions 58-01 to 58-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH, 8 days after planting ECHCF and 14 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 9 days after application.

Standards included technical alachlor and Lasso, a commercial formulation of alachlor from Monsanto Company. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 58.

                  TABLE 58                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Alachlor rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                                  Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha ABUTH     ECHCF  SIDSP                                    ______________________________________                                         Alachlor   500       0         0      0                                          (technical) 1000 0 0 0                                                          2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 0 0 0                                                                    Lasso 500 0 0 0                                                                (commercial) 1000 0 5 13                                                        2000 0 30 17                                                                   4000 15 43 65                                                                 58-01 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 10 0 7                                                                   58-02 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 22 7                                                                    4000 12 47 12                                                                 58-03 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 10 0 0                                                                   58-04 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 5 0 15                                                                   58-05 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 3 0 5                                                                    58-06 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 13 7                                                                    4000 0 37 12                                                                  58-07 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 8 0                                                                     2000 0 28 15                                                                   4000 12 50 20                                                                 58-08 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 8 0                                                                     2000 0 8 0                                                                     4000 5 20 5                                                                   58-09 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 3 0                                                                     4000 12 42 32                                                                 58-10 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 0 0 0                                                                    58-11 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 0 0 0                                                                    58-12 500 0 0 0                                                                 1000 0 0 0                                                                     2000 0 0 0                                                                     4000 0 0 0                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

None of the compositions tested enhanced post-emergence foliar-applied herbicidal effectiveness of alachlor in this test. Alachlor is not known as a foliar-applied herbicide.

Example 59

Spray compositions were prepared containing glufosinate ammonium salt and excipient ingredients. Compositions 59-01 to 59-12 were exactly like compositions 50-01 to 50-12 respectively except that a different active ingredient was used and a range of active ingredient concentrations was selected appropriate to the active ingredient being applied.

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH), Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) and prickly sida (Sida spinosa, SIDSP) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 14 days after planting ABUTH, 10 days after planting ECHCF and 17 days after planting SIDSP. Evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 11 days after application.

Standards included technical glufosinate ammonium and Liberty, a commercial formulation of glufosinate from AgrEvo. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 59.

                  TABLE 59                                                         ______________________________________                                                  Glufosinate rate                                                                         % Inhibition                                                Spray composition                                                                         g a.i./ha   ABUTH    ECHCF SIDSP                                    ______________________________________                                         Glufosinate                                                                               50          0        0     5                                          (technical) 100 47 0 10                                                         300 90 23 96                                                                   600 98 43 94                                                                  Liberty 50 77 70 20                                                            (commercial) 100 88 96 93                                                       300 98 100 97                                                                  600 99 100 99                                                                 59-01 50 77 33 70                                                               100 95 58 93                                                                   300 98 95 97                                                                   600 99 99 98                                                                  59-02 50 33 30 50                                                               100 63 32 93                                                                   300 96 52 90                                                                   600 98 96 97                                                                  59-03 50 15 30 38                                                               100 50 33 87                                                                   300 92 40 94                                                                   600 98 70 98                                                                  59-04 50 92 47 50                                                               100 90 53 85                                                                   300 98 98 96                                                                   600 98 99 98                                                                  59-05 50 35 20 20                                                               100 37 30 20                                                                   300 97 45 78                                                                   600 91 53 92                                                                  59-06 50 10 0 20                                                                100 20 3 20                                                                    300 89 47 82                                                                   600 91 94 89                                                                  59-07 50 50 35 70                                                               100 73 52 80                                                                   300 95 87 98                                                                   600 98 98 97                                                                  59-08 50 48 30 88                                                               100 83 50 93                                                                   300 98 97 96                                                                   600 98 99 96                                                                  59-09 50 58 35 92                                                               100 91 62 93                                                                   300 98 96 97                                                                   600 98 99 96                                                                  59-10 50 30 30 0                                                                100 43 35 10                                                                   300 96 43 92                                                                   600 95 70 91                                                                  59-11 50 33 35 0                                                                100 53 35 7                                                                    300 96 43 89                                                                   600 97 88 93                                                                  59-12 50 37 5 5                                                                 100 37 20 10                                                                   300 95 40 88                                                                   600 97 85 93                                                                ______________________________________                                    

Results of this test using glufosinate as the exogenous chemical are summarized as follows:

Butyl stearate alone at 0.05% (59-05) enhanced effectiveness on ECHCF.

The combination of lecithin and butyl stearate (59-02) gave greater enhancement of effectiveness than either of these two excipient substances alone.

Oleth-20 at the low concentration of 0.05% (59-09) gave extremely high effectiveness, superior on SIDSP to that obtained with the commercial standard. Addition of 0.005% butyl stearate (59-07) or 0.01% methyl oleate (59-08) did not provide further enhancement.

Example 60

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 60a. Concentrate compositions 60-01 to 60-12 and 60-14 to 60-16 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate composition 60-13 is an aqueous solution concentrate and was prepared by process (viii).

                  TABLE 60a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Concen-                                                                          trate                                                                          compo- Glyphosate % w/w Type of Type of                                      sition                                                                               g a.e./l  Oil   Surfactant                                                                            oil      surfactant                               ______________________________________                                         60-01 163       0.5   5.0    butyl stearate                                                                          steareth-30                                60-02 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate steareth-30                                  60-03 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate Neodol 44-13                                  60-04 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate Neodol 44-13                                 60-05 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate ceteareth-15                                  60-06 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate ceteareth-15                                 60-07 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate laureth-23                                    60-08 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate oleth-20                                      60-09 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate steareth-20                                   60-10 163 0.5 5.0 butyl stearate ceteareth-27                                  60-11 163 0.3 5.0 butyl stearate ceteareth-27                                  60-12 163 0.3 2.5 butyl stearate ceteareth-27                                  60-13 163  5.0 none ceteareth-27                                               60-14 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate ceteareth-27                                 60-15 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate steareth-20                                  60-16 163 0.5 5.0 methyl stearate oleth-20                                   ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 20 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 16 days after application.

Formulations B, C and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 60b.

                  TABLE 60b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         45        57                                            200 35 53                                                                      300 50 57                                                                      400 38 33                                                                     Formulation C 100 70 98                                                         200 90 99                                                                      300 97 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                   Formulation J 100 72 88                                                         200 93 99                                                                      300 97 99                                                                      400 98 99                                                                     60-01 100 83 97                                                                 200 97 100                                                                     300 99 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                   60-02 100 80 99                                                                 200 96 100                                                                     300 99 100                                                                     400 99 100                                                                    60-03 100 73 98                                                                 200 92 100                                                                     300 98 99                                                                      400 99 100                                                                    60-04 100 73 98                                                                 200 87 99                                                                      300 97 99                                                                      400 99 100                                                                    60-05 100 80 98                                                                 200 87 100                                                                     300 98 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                   60-06 100 78 97                                                                 200 95 98                                                                      300 98 100                                                                     400 99 100                                                                    60-07 100 78 98                                                                 200 88 100                                                                     300 96 100                                                                     400 98 100                                                                    60-08 100 75 98                                                                 200 93 99                                                                      300 97 99                                                                      400 100 99                                                                    60-09 100 83 93                                                                 200 95 100                                                                     300 98 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                   60-10 100 80 97                                                                 200 95 98                                                                      300 98 99                                                                      400 100 100                                                                   60-11 100 80 97                                                                 200 93 99                                                                      300 98 100                                                                     400 100 99                                                                    60-12 100 77 93                                                                 200 88 100                                                                     300 99 100                                                                     400 99 100                                                                    60-13 100 80 73                                                                 200 95 95                                                                      300 99 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                   60-14 100 77 94                                                                 200 92 99                                                                      300 98 100                                                                     400 100 99                                                                    60-15 100 78 92                                                                 200 94 99                                                                      300 98 100                                                                     400 99 100                                                                    60-16 100 77 93                                                                 200 90 98                                                                      300 98 99                                                                      400 99 100                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Extremely high herbicidal effectiveness was provided by ceteareth-27 (composition 60-13); this was further enhanced by addition of a small amount of butyl stearate (60-10, 60-11) or methyl stearate (60-14). Compositions performing better than commercial standard Formulations C and J, at least on ABUTH, included those containing steareth-30, steareth-20 or ceteareth-27; in this test oleth-20 was not quite as effective as these saturated alkylethers.

Example 61

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 61a. Concentrate composition 61-17 is an oil-in-water emulsion and was prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 61-01 to 61-16 and 61-18 were prepared by process (x) using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti).

                  TABLE 61a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Concen-                                                                               Glypho- % w/w                                                           trate com-                                                                            sate    Leci-  Butyl Ethomeen                                                                              Ceteareth-                                                                            Ceteareth-                             position g a.e./l thin stearate T/25 20 27                                   ______________________________________                                         61-01  220     0.75   0.75  1.5                                                  61-02 220 0.75 0.75 1.5                                                        61-03 220 0.75 0.75 3.0                                                        61-04 220 0.75 7.50 1.5                                                        61-05 220 0.75 7.50 3.0                                                        61-06 220 3.75 3.75 3.0                                                        61-07 220 1.50 1.50 3.0                                                        61-08 220 1.50 1.50 1.5                                                        61-09 220 3.75 3.75 1.5 1.5                                                    61-10 220 1.50 1.50 1.5 1.5                                                    61-11 220 3.75 7.50 1.5 1.5                                                    61-12 220 3.75 1.50 1.5 1.5                                                    61-13 220 0.75 3.75 1.5  1.5                                                   61-14 220 0.75 7.50 1.5  1.5                                                   61-15 220 0.75 3.75 3.0  3.0                                                   61-16 220 0.75 7.50 3.0  3.0                                                   61-17 220  7.50 3.0                                                            61-18 220 0.75 7.50   3.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 23 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 61b.

                  TABLE 61b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         12        62                                            200 5 55                                                                       300 23 63                                                                      400 43 78                                                                     Formulation J 100 27 82                                                         200 62 98                                                                      300 88 95                                                                      400 96 99                                                                     61-01 100 13 79                                                                 200 68 95                                                                      300 82 99                                                                      400 95 91                                                                     61-02 100 27 82                                                                 200 60 97                                                                      300 81 95                                                                      400 87 99                                                                     61-03 100 37 77                                                                 200 62 96                                                                      300 78 98                                                                      400 89 90                                                                     61-04 100 37 84                                                                 200 57 95                                                                      300 84 99                                                                      400 89 100                                                                    61-05 100 33 77                                                                 200 65 100                                                                     300 78 97                                                                      400 88 97                                                                     61-06 100 43 78                                                                 200 62 95                                                                      300 87 97                                                                      400 95 96                                                                     61-07 100 48 78                                                                 200 80 91                                                                      300 90 99                                                                      400 76 93                                                                     61-08 100 48 83                                                                 200 67 89                                                                      300 86 96                                                                      400 93 97                                                                     61-09 100 62 84                                                                 200 82 98                                                                      300 85 99                                                                      400 91 97                                                                     61-10 100 63 80                                                                 200 75 96                                                                      300 85 99                                                                      400 99 99                                                                     61-11 100 42 75                                                                 200 78 98                                                                      300 92 99                                                                      400 93 100                                                                    61-12 100 52 80                                                                 200 73 93                                                                      300 86 99                                                                      400 97 97                                                                     61-13 100 55 83                                                                 200 75 97                                                                      300 97 99                                                                      400 92 99                                                                     61-14 100 52 87                                                                 200 73 95                                                                      300 91 97                                                                      400 87 98                                                                     61-15 100 57 83                                                                 200 92 96                                                                      300 98 100                                                                     400 100 98                                                                    61-16 100 79 88                                                                 200 87 97                                                                      300 99 99                                                                      400 97 94                                                                     61-17 100 58 83                                                                 200 47 94                                                                      300 88 98                                                                      400 91 93                                                                     61-18 100 58 87                                                                 200 75 91                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 91 98                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Outstanding herbicidal effectiveness was provided by composition 61-18, containing lecithin, ceteareth-27 and butyl stearate. Addition of 3% Ethomeen T/25 (61-16) further enhanced effectiveness. Slightly reduced effectiveness at the lowest glyphosate rate was observed on ABUTH when the butyl stearate concentration was cut in half (61-15).

Example 62

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 62a. Concentrate compositions 62-01 to 62-04, 62-06, 62-08, 62-10 and 62-18 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Concentrate compositions 62-05, 62-07 and 62-09 are aqueous solution concentrates and were prepared by process (viii). Concentrate compositions 62-11 to 62-17 contain colloidal particulates and were prepared by process (ix).

The compositions of this example all showed acceptable storage stability. The compositions shown as containing colloidal particulate were not storage-stable unless the colloidal particulate was included as shown.

                  TABLE 62a                                                        ______________________________________                                                     % w/w                                                              Concentrate                                                                            Glyphosate                                                                               Butyl   Sur-  Aerosil                                                                              Type of                                    composition g a.e./l stearate factant 380 surfactant                         ______________________________________                                         62-01   163       0.5     5.0         steareth-20                                62-02 163 0.5 5.0  ceteareth-27                                                62-03 163 0.5 5.0  oleth-20                                                    62-04 163 0.5 5.0  ceteth-20                                                   62-05 163  5.0  ceteth-20                                                      62-06 163 0.5 5.0  Neodol 44-13                                                62-07 163  5.0  Neodol 44-13                                                   62-08 163 0.5 5.0  ceteareth-15                                                62-09 163  5.0  ceteareth-15                                                   62-10 163 0.5 5.0  steareth-30                                                 62-11 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 ceteth-20                                              62-12 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 Neodol 44-13                                           62-13 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 ceteareth-15                                           62-14 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 steareth-30                                            62-15 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 steareth-20                                            62-16 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20                                               62-17 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 ceteareth-27                                           62-18 163 0.5 5.0  laureth-23                                                ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 22 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 62b.

                  TABLE 62b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         0         30                                            200 2 60                                                                       300 17 75                                                                      400 50 73                                                                     Formulation J 100 20 63                                                         200 42 98                                                                      300 75 100                                                                     400 83 98                                                                     62-01 100 27 57                                                                 200 67 98                                                                      300 80 99                                                                      400 87 98                                                                     62-02 100 27 63                                                                 200 53 87                                                                      300 77 99                                                                      400 87 99                                                                     62-03 100 12 50                                                                 200 53 99                                                                      300 65 100                                                                     400 83 99                                                                     62-04 100 20 63                                                                 200 50 98                                                                      300 73 98                                                                      400 87 98                                                                     62-05 100 18 70                                                                 200 57 93                                                                      300 80 99                                                                      400 83 99                                                                     62-06 100 17 63                                                                 200 35 95                                                                      300 60 100                                                                     400 75 100                                                                    62-07 100 3 43                                                                  200 43 95                                                                      300 62 100                                                                     400 68 96                                                                     62-08 100 20 43                                                                 200 43 88                                                                      300 75 99                                                                      400 80 97                                                                     62-09 100 37 57                                                                 200 55 93                                                                      300 83 100                                                                     400 83 99                                                                     62-10 100 37 50                                                                 200 60 96                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 88 99                                                                     62-11 100 8 37                                                                  200 37 93                                                                      300 68 99                                                                      400 70 97                                                                     62-12 100 13 43                                                                 200 40 91                                                                      300 67 100                                                                     400 77 96                                                                     62-13 100 25 40                                                                 200 40 80                                                                      300 62 97                                                                      400 78 98                                                                     62-14 100 23 33                                                                 200 37 86                                                                      300 75 99                                                                      400 78 94                                                                     62-15 100 23 30                                                                 200 43 78                                                                      300 53 93                                                                      400 78 98                                                                     62-16 100 23 37                                                                 200 37 95                                                                      300 63 97                                                                      400 78 95                                                                     62-17 100 18 50                                                                 200 45 88                                                                      300 75 69                                                                      400 73 93                                                                     62-18 100 missing missing                                                       200 missing missing                                                            300 missing missing                                                            400 missing missing                                                         ______________________________________                                    

Compositions exhibiting herbicidal effectiveness greater than that provided by commercial standard Formulation J included 62-01 (steareth-20 plus butyl stearate), 62-09 (ceteareth-15) and 62-10 (steareth-20 plus butyl stearate).

Example 63

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 63a. All are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii).

                  TABLE 63a                                                        ______________________________________                                                       % w/w                                                            Concentrate                                                                             Glyphosate Butyl           Type of                                      composition g a.e./l stearate Surfactant surfactant                          ______________________________________                                         63-01    163        1.00     10.0   laureth-23                                   63-02 163 0.50 5.0 laureth-23                                                  63-03 163 0.25 2.5 laureth-23                                                  63-04 163 1.00 10.0 Neodol 1-9                                                 63-05 163 0.50 5.0 Neodol 1-9                                                  63-06 163 0.25 2.5 Neodol 1-9                                                  63-07 163 1.00 10.0 steareth-10                                                63-08 163 0.50 5.0 steareth-10                                                 63-09 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-10                                                 63-10 163 0.50 5.0 steareth-20                                                 63-11 163 0.25 2.5 steareth-20                                                 63-12 163 0.25 1.0 steareth-20                                                 63-13 163 0.50 5.0 oleth-20                                                    63-14 163 0.25 2.5 oleth-20                                                    63-15 163 0.25 1.0 oleth-20                                                    63-16 163 0.50 5.0 ceteareth-27                                                63-17 163 0.25 2.5 ceteareth-27                                                63-18 163 0.25 1.0 ceteareth-27                                              ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 21 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 63b.

                  TABLE 63b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         0         42                                            200 0 43                                                                       300 23 50                                                                      400 0 28                                                                      Formulation J 100 0 73                                                          200 57 85                                                                      300 68 93                                                                      400 87 94                                                                     63-01 100 18 75                                                                 200 58 92                                                                      300 85 90                                                                      400 94 95                                                                     63-02 100 3 77                                                                  200 47 90                                                                      300 65 89                                                                      400 87 95                                                                     63-03 100 13 80                                                                 200 53 88                                                                      300 72 98                                                                      400 82 99                                                                     63-04 100 0 0                                                                   200 53 88                                                                      300 67 95                                                                      400 83 95                                                                     63-05 100 2 60                                                                  200 50 83                                                                      300 70 93                                                                      400 85 92                                                                     63-06 100 0 52                                                                  200 55 83                                                                      300 62 96                                                                      400 77 98                                                                     63-07 100 8 70                                                                  200 68 95                                                                      300 91 99                                                                      400 95 100                                                                    63-08 100 10 65                                                                 200 67 99                                                                      300 78 99                                                                      400 93 100                                                                    63-09 100 5 80                                                                  200 52 98                                                                      300 75 100                                                                     400 86 98                                                                     63-10 100 0 65                                                                  200 62 84                                                                      300 58 94                                                                      400 75 100                                                                    63-11 100 5 83                                                                  200 50 99                                                                      300 63 97                                                                      400 87 99                                                                     63-12 100 10 76                                                                 200 60 96                                                                      300 72 100                                                                     400 100 100                                                                   63-13 100 20 85                                                                 200 67 100                                                                     300 91 100                                                                     400 96 98                                                                     63-14 100 23 68                                                                 200 62 89                                                                      300 80 100                                                                     400 99 99                                                                     63-15 100 5 57                                                                  200 55 93                                                                      300 89 95                                                                      400 90 98                                                                     63-16 100 30 68                                                                 200 68 94                                                                      300 83 98                                                                      400 100 100                                                                   63-17 100 43 68                                                                 200 62 99                                                                      300 78 100                                                                     400 100 99                                                                    63-18 100 25 52                                                                 200 53 84                                                                      300 85 94                                                                      400 98 95                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Compositions having a 1:3 or lower weight/weight ratio of surfactant to glyphosate a.e., yet outperforming commercial standard Formulation J at least on ABUTH in this test, included those containing just 1 % alkylether surfactant (ratio about 1:15) together with 0.25% butyl stearate, where the alkylether surfactant was steareth-20 (63-12), oleth-20 (63-15) or ceteareth-27 (63-18).

Example 64

Dry granular concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate ammonium salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 64a. The preparation procedure was as follows. Ammonium glyphosate powder was added to a blender. Excipient ingredients were slowly added, together with sufficient water to wet the powder and form a stiff dough. The blender was operated for sufficient time to thoroughly mix all ingredients. The dough was then transferred to extrusion apparatus and was extruded to form granules, which were finally dried in a fluid bed dryer.

                                      TABLE 64a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     % w/w                                 Type of                                  Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                               Butyl    Colloidal                                                                           Type of   colloidal                                  comp. a.e. Lecithin stearate Surfactant particulate surfactant particula                                           te                                       __________________________________________________________________________     64-01                                                                              68.7          21.0      steareth-20                                          64-02 66.0  2.2 22.0  steareth-20                                              64-03 66.1   24.0  oleth-20                                                    64-04 66.0  2.2 22.0  oleth-20                                                 64-05 67.9 10.0 2.0 10.0  MON 0818                                             64-06 59.2 10.0  20.0 + 2.0  FC-754 + MON 0818                                 64-07 68.0   21.0 0.8 tallowamine 20EO Aerosil 90                              64-08 68.0   21.0 0.8 tallowamine 20EO Aluminum oxide C                        64-09 66.1   24.0  ceteth-20                                                   64-10 66.0  2.2 22.0  ceteth-20                                                64-11 71.2   16.1 2.0 ceteth-20 Aerosil 380                                    64-12 71.1   16.3 1.0 ceteth-20 Aerosil blend (*)                              64-13 71.2   16.1 2.0 steareth-20 Aerosil 380                                  64-14 71.2   16.1 1.0 steareth-20 Aerosil blend (*)                            64-15 68.0   20.0 1.9 oleth-20 Aerosil-380                                     64-16 70.8   16.6 1.0 oleth-20 Aerosil blend (*)                             __________________________________________________________________________      (*) Aerosil MOX80 + Aerosil MOX170 (1:1)                                 

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 21 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 20 days after application.

Formulations J and K were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 64b.

                  TABLE 64b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation J 100         52        80                                            200 90 96                                                                      300 96 100                                                                     400 97 99                                                                     Formulation K 100 33 70                                                         200 67 93                                                                      300 83 99                                                                      400 93 100                                                                    64-01 100 47 60                                                                 200 87 98                                                                      300 97 98                                                                      400 100 98                                                                    64-02 100 47 63                                                                 200 80 94                                                                      300 90 99                                                                      400 98 100                                                                    64-03 100 62 62                                                                 200 83 93                                                                      300 97 96                                                                      400 97 100                                                                    64-04 100 47 57                                                                 200 78 94                                                                      300 87 100                                                                     400 98 100                                                                    64-05 100 25 53                                                                 200 60 88                                                                      300 80 97                                                                      400 83 98                                                                     64-06 100 35 37                                                                 200 65 62                                                                      300 83 83                                                                      400 90 95                                                                     64-07 100 63 55                                                                 200 72 97                                                                      300 83 100                                                                     400 94 100                                                                    64-08 100 30 65                                                                 200 72 94                                                                      300 87 100                                                                     400 92 99                                                                     64-09 100 37 63                                                                 200 77 83                                                                      300 88 99                                                                      400 97 99                                                                     64-10 100 40 55                                                                 200 83 93                                                                      300 94 96                                                                      400 98 99                                                                     64-11 100 42 55                                                                 200 78 94                                                                      300 88 92                                                                      400 94 99                                                                     64-12 100 38 58                                                                 200 78 97                                                                      300 92 97                                                                      400 95 100                                                                    64-13 100 25 50                                                                 200 80 88                                                                      300 96 95                                                                      400 98 98                                                                     64-14 100 50 53                                                                 200 88 92                                                                      300 98 99                                                                      400 99 99                                                                     64-15 100 33 57                                                                 200 75 91                                                                      300 94 97                                                                      400 98 99                                                                     64-16 100 33 55                                                                 200 77 90                                                                      300 88 99                                                                      400 96 100                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Several dry granular compositions of this Example outperformed commercial standard composition K, at least on ABUTH. They included 64-01 to 64-04 and 64-10 to 64-16, all containing an alkylether surfactant (steareth-20, oleth-20 or ceteth-20).

Example 65

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 65a. All were prepared by process (x) using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti), except that compositions 65-09 and 65-10 were processed by ultrasonication instead of by use of a microfluidizer as indicated in the column of Table 65a headed "Process".

                                      TABLE 65a                                    __________________________________________________________________________               % w/w                                                                Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                               Butyl                                                                              Ethomeen                                                                            MON                                                                               Ceteareth-                                                                          Ceteareth-                                                                          Process                                      comp. g a.e./l Lecithin stearate T/25 0818 20 27 (*)                         __________________________________________________________________________     65-01                                                                              220   0.75                                                                               3.75                                                                               3.0          3.0  B                                            65-02 220 0.75 0.75 3.0   3.0 B                                                65-03 220 0.75 3.75 3.0  3.0  B                                                65-04 220 0.75 0.75 3.0  3.0  B                                                65-05 220 6.00 1.50 3.0  3.0  B                                                65-06 220 6.00 1.50 3.0   3.0 B                                                65-07 220 4.00 1.00 3.0  3.0  B                                                65-08 220 4.00 1.00 3.0   3.0 B                                                65-09 220 0.75 3.75 3.0   3.0 A                                                65-10 220 0.75 0.75 3.0   3.0 A                                                65-11 220 0.75 3.75 6.0    B                                                   65-12 220 0.75 3.75   6.0  B                                                   65-13 345 6.00 1.50 4.5 4.5   B                                                65-14 345 6.00 1.50 6.0   3.0 B                                                65-15 345 6.00 1.50 6.0 6.0   B                                                65-16 345 0.50 7.50 12.0    B                                                  65-17 345 6.00 1.50 4.5 4.5  3.0 B                                           __________________________________________________________________________      (*) Process:                                                                   A Ultrasonicated                                                               B Microfluidized, 3 cycles                                               

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 19 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 15 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 65b.

                  TABLE 65b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 150         45        82                                            250 55 71                                                                      350 80 72                                                                      450 88 77                                                                     Formulation J 150 55 83                                                         250 89 88                                                                      350 97 93                                                                      450 99 93                                                                      550 99 87                                                                     65-01 150 92 83                                                                 250 96 96                                                                      350 99 96                                                                      450 100 86                                                                    65-02 150 85 93                                                                 250 97 78                                                                      350 97 90                                                                      450 99 90                                                                     65-03 150 87 85                                                                 250 98 92                                                                      350 99 95                                                                      450 100 95                                                                    65-04 150 87 89                                                                 250 97 92                                                                      350 99 94                                                                      450 99 91                                                                     65-05 150 87 77                                                                 250 98 89                                                                      350 99 93                                                                      450 99 84                                                                     65-06 150 12 18                                                                 250 96 73                                                                      350 99 85                                                                      450 99 84                                                                     65-07 150 82 89                                                                 250 88 96                                                                      350 96 98                                                                      450 97 97                                                                     65-08 150 88 94                                                                 250 95 90                                                                      350 99 98                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     65-09 150 94 94                                                                 250 95 100                                                                     350 97 99                                                                      450 99 98                                                                     65-10 150 94 94                                                                 250 98 99                                                                      350 99 97                                                                      450 99 96                                                                     65-11 150 83 81                                                                 250 94 88                                                                      350 98 93                                                                      450 99 99                                                                     65-12 150 68 79                                                                 250 95 96                                                                      350 98 100                                                                     450 99 98                                                                     65-13 150 86 98                                                                 250 95 98                                                                      350 99 100                                                                     450 100 98                                                                    65-14 150 85 98                                                                 250 98 98                                                                      350 99 98                                                                      450 100 98                                                                    65-15 150 86 95                                                                 250 97 97                                                                      350 99 95                                                                      450 100 96                                                                    65-16 150 93 94                                                                 250 98 98                                                                      350 99 98                                                                      450 100 97                                                                    65-17 150 95 96                                                                 250 98 100                                                                     350 100 100                                                                    450 100 98                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Many compositions containing lecithin and butyl stearate outperformed commercial standard Formulation J in this test.

Example 66

Aqueous and dry granular concentrate compositions were prepared as shown in Table 66a. Dry granular concentrate compositions 66-01 to 66-11 contain glyphosate ammonium salt, and were prepared by the process described in Example 64.

Aqueous concentrate compositions 66-12 to 66-16 contain glyphosate IPA salt and were prepared by process (v) using soybean lecithin (45% phospholipid, Avanti).

                                      TABLE 66a                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Glypho- % w/w                           Type of                                Conc.                                                                              sate                                                                               Glypho- Butyl    Colloidal                                                                           Type of   colloidal                                comp. g a.e./l sate a.e. Lecithin stearate Surfactant particulate                                                    surfactant particulate                 __________________________________________________________________________     66-01   68.7        21.0      steareth-20                                        66-02  66.1   24.0  oleth-20                                                   66-03  67.9 10.0 2.0 10.0  MON 0818                                            66-04  59.2 10.0  20.0 + 2.0  FC-754 + MON 0818                                66-05  66.1   24.0  ceteth-20                                                  66-06  71.2   16.1 2.0 steareth-20 Aerosil 380                                 66-07  71.2   16.1 2.0 steareth-20 Aerosil blend                               66-08  68.0   20.0 1.9 oleth-20 Aerosil 380                                    66-09  63.5   25.0 2.0 steareth-20 Aerosil blend                               66-10  67.9   20.0 2.0 steareth-20 Aerosil blend                               66-11  72.2   15.0 2.0 steareth-20 Aerosil blend                               66-12 370  4.7  4.7  steareth-20                                               66-13 350  4.9  4.9  ceteareth-27                                              66-14 348  5.0  5.0  ceteareth-15                                              66-15 348  5.0  5.0  oleth-20                                                  66-16 351  4.4  5.0  steareth-30                                             __________________________________________________________________________      Aerosil blend: Aerosil MOX80 + Aerosil MOX170 (1:1)                      

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 20 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 16 days after application.

Formulations J and K were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 66b.

                  TABLE 66b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation J 100         0         20                                            200 28 57                                                                      300 58 96                                                                      400 73 99                                                                     Formulation K 100 22 13                                                         200 42 83                                                                      300 48 91                                                                      400 58 95                                                                     66-01 100 28 30                                                                 200 48 80                                                                      300 80 97                                                                      400 85 99                                                                     66-02 100 43 52                                                                 200 68 80                                                                      300 72 88                                                                      400 86 94                                                                     66-03 100 23 37                                                                 200 50 83                                                                      300 75 88                                                                      400 85 96                                                                     66-04 100 50 45                                                                 200 73 80                                                                      300 85 92                                                                      400 95 94                                                                     66-05 100 18 45                                                                 200 65 83                                                                      300 87 95                                                                      400 94 86                                                                     66-06 100 47 50                                                                 200 62 68                                                                      300 82 94                                                                      400 91 87                                                                     66-07 100 50 47                                                                 200 60 78                                                                      300 87 87                                                                      400 93 93                                                                     66-08 100 30 55                                                                 200 55 77                                                                      300 82 85                                                                      400 88 97                                                                     66-09 100 45 50                                                                 200 57 78                                                                      300 83 83                                                                      400 84 89                                                                     66-10 100 42 50                                                                 200 57 80                                                                      300 73 91                                                                      400 91 90                                                                     66-11 100 28 48                                                                 200 50 75                                                                      300 70 87                                                                      400 82 89                                                                     66-12 100 20 40                                                                 200 63 80                                                                      300 67 96                                                                      400 80 88                                                                     66-13 100 27 35                                                                 200 50 85                                                                      300 77 90                                                                      400 84 86                                                                     66-14 100 27 25                                                                 200 40 70                                                                      300 68 94                                                                      400 89 91                                                                     66-15 100 17 20                                                                 200 47 82                                                                      300 58 89                                                                      400 91 95                                                                     66-16 100 22 20                                                                 200 41 80                                                                      300 84 89                                                                      400 99 98                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

All compositions of the invention in this study exhibited greater herbicidal effectiveness on both ABUTH and ECHCF, in some cases by a very substantial margin, than commercial standard Formulation K.

Example 67

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 67a. Concentrate compositions 67-01 to 67-07, 67-17 and 67-18 were prepared by process (v). Concentrate compositions 67-08 to 67-15 were prepared by process (x). Concentrate composition 67-16 was prepared by process (viii).

                                      TABLE 67a                                    __________________________________________________________________________               % w/w                                                                Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate                                                                               Fluorad                                                                            Butyl                                                                              Ethomeen   Arcosolve                                       comp. g a.e./1 Lecithin FC-754 stearate T/25 Ceteareth-20 DPM Ceteareth-                                           27                                       __________________________________________________________________________     67-01                                                                              348   3.0 3.00    0.75                                                       67-02 348 3.8 3.75  5.00                                                       67-03 348 3.8 3.75  7.50                                                       67-04 348 2.0 5.00  0.75                                                       67-05 348 5.0 5.00  0.75                                                       67-06 348 2.0 2.00                                                             67-07 348 1.0 1.00                                                             67-08 220 1.5  1.5 3.00 3.0                                                    67-09 220 1.5  1.5 3.00   3.0                                                  67-10 220 1.5  1.5 6.00 3.0                                                    67-11 220 1.5  1.5 6.00   3.0                                                  67-12 220 3.0  1.5 3.00 3.0                                                    67-13 220 3.0  1.5 3.00   3.0                                                  67-14 348 1.5  1.5 6.00 3.0                                                    67-15 348 3.0  1.5 3.00 3.0                                                    67-16 348  3.00                                                                67-17 348 3.0     3.0                                                          67-18 348 5.0   13.00  5.0                                                   __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 18 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 67b.

                  TABLE 67b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         28        32                                            200 41 37                                                                      300 73 64                                                                      400 22 30                                                                     Formulation J 100 38 32                                                         200 82 73                                                                      300 89 91                                                                      400 97 89                                                                     67-01 100 73 28                                                                 200 90 66                                                                      300 97 92                                                                      400 100 96                                                                    67-02 100 77 32                                                                 200 87 67                                                                      300 84 78                                                                      400 98 84                                                                     67-03 100 79 33                                                                 200 82 66                                                                      300 99 81                                                                      400 97 88                                                                     67-04 100 69 35                                                                 200 95 59                                                                      300 96 84                                                                      400 92 91                                                                     67-05 100 82 32                                                                 200 92 55                                                                      300 96 71                                                                      400 94 87                                                                     67-06 100 83 33                                                                 200 100 52                                                                     300 100 68                                                                     400 99 75                                                                     67-07 100 77 35                                                                 200 90 58                                                                      300 95 71                                                                      400 94 90                                                                     67-08 100 51 40                                                                 200 89 75                                                                      300 96 92                                                                      400 95 98                                                                     67-09 100 76 57                                                                 200 98 81                                                                      300 97 86                                                                      400 96 98                                                                     67-10 100 69 60                                                                 200 98 63                                                                      300 95 82                                                                      400 99 90                                                                     67-11 100 61 60                                                                 200 94 84                                                                      300 97 89                                                                      400 99 97                                                                     67-12 100 64 53                                                                 200 95 82                                                                      300 96 90                                                                      400 95 98                                                                     67-13 100 61 58                                                                 200 94 78                                                                      300 88 87                                                                      400 100 94                                                                    67-14 100 56 61                                                                 200 88 77                                                                      300 91 82                                                                      400 97 89                                                                     67-15 100 42 52                                                                 200 82 80                                                                      300 86 90                                                                      400 97 92                                                                     67-16 100 64 49                                                                 200 86 75                                                                      300 97 88                                                                      400 100 82                                                                    67-17 100 57 32                                                                 200 88 66                                                                      300 95 73                                                                      400 100 88                                                                    67-18 100 52 35                                                                 200 70 77                                                                      300 82 79                                                                      400 97 73                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Compositions 67-08 to 67-15, containing lecithin, butyl stearate, Ethomeen T/25 and a C₁₆₋₁₈ alkylether surfactant (ceteareth-20 or ceteareth-27) exhibited a very high degree of herbicidal effectiveness. Not only was performance, at least of 67-08 to 67-13, on ABUTH substantially better than that of Formulation J, these compositions performed considerably better than Formulation J on ECHCF as well.

Example 68

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 68a. All contain colloidal particulates and were prepared by process (ix).

The compositions of this example all showed acceptable storage stability. The compositions shown as containing colloidal particulate were not storage-stable unless the colloidal particulate was included as shown.

                                      TABLE 68a                                    __________________________________________________________________________               % w/w                                                                Conc.                                                                              Glyphosate   Aerosil                                                                            Type of                                                                               Type of                                              comp. g a.e./l Oil Surfactant 380 oil surfactant                             __________________________________________________________________________     68-01                                                                              360   1.0                                                                              10.0 1.25                                                                               butyl stearate                                                                        oleth-20                                             68-02 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 stearylamine oleth-20                                  68-03 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 stearyl alcohol oleth-20                               68-04 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 docosane oleth-20                                      68-05 360  10.0 1.25 none oleth-20                                             68-06 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 butyl stearate steareth-30                             68-07 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 stearylamine steareth-30                               68-08 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 stearyl alcohol steareth-30                            68-09 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 docosane steareth-30                                   68-10 360  10.0 1.25 none steareth-30                                          68-11 360  5.0 + 5.0 1.25 none oleth-20 + steareth-20                          68-12 360  5.0 + 5.0 1.25 none oleth-20 + steareth-30                          68-13 360  5.0 + 5.0 1.25 none oleth-20 + ceteareth-27                         68-14 360  5.0 + 5.0 1.25 none oleth-20 + ceteareth-15                         68-15 360  5.0 + 5.0 1.25 none steareth-30 + steareth-20                       68-16 360  5.0 + 5.0 1.25 none steareth-30 + ceteareth-27                      68-17 360  5.0 + 5.0 1.25 none steareth-30 + ceteareth-15                      68-18 360  10.0 1.25 none laureth-23                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 68b.

                  TABLE 68b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         0         60                                            200 15 73                                                                      300 33 88                                                                      400 57 91                                                                     Formulation J 100 5 70                                                          200 37 92                                                                      300 80 99                                                                      400 77 96                                                                     68-01 100 13 88                                                                 200 32 85                                                                      300 48 98                                                                      400 90 93                                                                     68-02 100 10 70                                                                 200 45 98                                                                      300 72 99                                                                      400 80 98                                                                     68-03 100 3 77                                                                  200 25 94                                                                      300 47 98                                                                      400 75 99                                                                     68-04 100 7 67                                                                  200 23 94                                                                      300 40 99                                                                      400 7 47                                                                      68-05 100 7 76                                                                  200 25 88                                                                      300 45 96                                                                      400 75 97                                                                     68-06 100 12 96                                                                 200 30 97                                                                      300 45 98                                                                      400 15 60                                                                     68-07 100 8 83                                                                  200 12 97                                                                      300 35 94                                                                      400 50 98                                                                     68-08 100 15 72                                                                 200 30 88                                                                      300 40 99                                                                      400 0 33                                                                      68-09 100 5 73                                                                  200 15 94                                                                      300 47 99                                                                      400 5 53                                                                      68-10 100 7 79                                                                  200 15 95                                                                      300 45 98                                                                      400 62 99                                                                     68-11 100 5 84                                                                  200 13 98                                                                      300 30 98                                                                      400 55 100                                                                    68-12 100 3 95                                                                  200 17 99                                                                      300 28 99                                                                      400 67 100                                                                    68-13 100 5 90                                                                  200 17 99                                                                      300 30 100                                                                     400 60 98                                                                     68-14 100 3 98                                                                  200 25 97                                                                      300 38 100                                                                     400 57 100                                                                    68-15 100 5 97                                                                  200 25 97                                                                      300 40 100                                                                     400 40 99                                                                     68-16 100 10 97                                                                 200 15 98                                                                      300 52 100                                                                     400 0 47                                                                      68-17 100 7 97                                                                  200 25 94                                                                      300 40 98                                                                      400 33 97                                                                     68-18 100 7 96                                                                  200 25 99                                                                      300 55 100                                                                     400 73 100                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Percent inhibition data for the 400 g a.e./ha glyphosate rate in this test are unreliable and should be ignored. Neither oleth-20 (composition 68-05) nor steareth-20 (68-10) provided herbicidal effectiveness equal to Formulation J in this study, and no great or consistent further enhancement was obtained by adding butyl stearate.

Example 69

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 69a. Concentrate compositions 69-01 to 69-03 are oil-in-water emulsions and were prepared by process (vii). Compositions 69-04 to 69-18 all contain colloidal particulates and were prepared by process (ix). Different mixing methods were employed in the final stage of preparation of these compositions, as indicated in the column of Table 69a headed "Process".

The compositions of this example all showed acceptable storage stability. The compositions shown as containing colloidal particulate were not storage-stable unless the colloidal particulate was included as shown.

                  TABLE 69a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Concen-                                                                               Glypho- % w/w                                                           trate com-                                                                            sate    Butyl   Surfac-                                                                              Aerosil                                                                              Type of Process                               position g a.e./l stearate tant 380 surfactant (*)                           ______________________________________                                         69-01  163     0.5     5.0         oleth-20                                      69-02 163 0.5 5.0  steareth-20                                                 69-03 163 0.5 5.0  ceteareth-27                                                69-04 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 ceteareth-15 A                                         69-05 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 ceteth-20 A                                            69-06 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 steareth-20 A                                          69-07 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 A                                             69-08 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 ceteareth-27 A                                         69-09 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 steareth-30 A                                          69-10 360  10.0 1.25 steareth-30 A                                             69-11 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 A                                             69-12 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 B                                             69-13 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 C                                             69-14 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 D                                             69-15 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 E                                             69-16 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 F                                             69-17 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 G                                             69-18 360 1.0 10.0 1.25 oleth-20 A                                           ______________________________________                                          (*) Process:                                                                   A Silverson mixer, medium screen, 3 minutes at 7000 rpm                        B Silverson mixer, coarse screen, 3 minutes at 7000 rpm                        C Fann mixer, 50% output, 5 minutes                                            D Turrax mixer, 3 minutes at 8000 rpm                                          E Overhead stirrer, low speed                                                  F Overhead stirrer, high speed                                                 G Hand shaking, 3 minutes                                                

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Applications of spray compositions were made 17 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 19 days after application.

Formulations B and J were applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 69b.

                  TABLE 69b                                                        ______________________________________                                                     Glyphosate rate                                                                          % Inhibition                                             Concentrate composition                                                                      g a.e./ha   ABUTH     ECHCF                                      ______________________________________                                         Formulation B 100         20        40                                            200 45 50                                                                      300 65 72                                                                      400 78 85                                                                     Formulation J 100 43 53                                                         200 80 80                                                                      300 96 82                                                                      400 99 94                                                                     69-01 100 45 57                                                                 200 80 72                                                                      300 89 78                                                                      400 98 83                                                                     69-02 100 53 57                                                                 200 80 78                                                                      300 89 77                                                                      400 93 83                                                                     69-03 100 45 60                                                                 200 83 75                                                                      300 97 73                                                                      400 97 85                                                                     69-04 100 45 45                                                                 200 80 80                                                                      300 83 83                                                                      400 95 95                                                                     69-05 100 42 42                                                                 200 77 77                                                                      300 93 93                                                                      400 98 98                                                                     69-06 100 30 30                                                                 200 42 42                                                                      300 27 30                                                                      400 3 20                                                                      69-07 100 40 40                                                                 200 77 75                                                                      300 90 93                                                                      400 97 86                                                                     69-08 100 43 50                                                                 200 80 80                                                                      300 92 93                                                                      400 96 98                                                                     69-09 100 0 2                                                                   200 82 75                                                                      300 83 96                                                                      400 90 88                                                                     69-10 100 57 60                                                                 200 80 70                                                                      300 88 88                                                                      400 95 93                                                                     69-11 100 35 47                                                                 200 72 75                                                                      300 80 75                                                                      400 85 77                                                                     69-12 100 47 47                                                                 200 72 77                                                                      300 80 90                                                                      400 86 78                                                                     69-13 100 55 50                                                                 200 75 83                                                                      300 78 92                                                                      400 91 92                                                                     69-14 100 52 50                                                                 200 75 78                                                                      300 83 88                                                                      400 99 92                                                                     69-15 100 47 47                                                                 200 70 73                                                                      300 87 87                                                                      400 75 63                                                                     69-16 100 43 40                                                                 200 78 75                                                                      300 88 88                                                                      400 87 91                                                                     69-17 100 43 43                                                                 200 67 88                                                                      300 80 75                                                                      400 92 83                                                                     69-18 100 27 40                                                                 200 63 57                                                                      300 82 73                                                                      400 87 70                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Results obtained with composition 69-06 are out of line with other data in this Example and an error in formulation or application is suspected. Some differences in herbicidal effectiveness were evident when a composition containing 360 g a.e./l glyphosate, 1% butyl stearate, 10% oleth-20 and 1.25% Aerosil 380 was processed in different ways (69-11 to 69-17). However, as compositions 69-07 and 69-11 were identically processed yet differed in effectiveness, no firm conclusions can be drawn from this test.

Example 70

Aqueous concentrate compositions were prepared containing glyphosate IPA salt and excipient ingredients as shown in Table 70a. All contain colloidal particulates and were prepared by process (ix).

The compositions of this example all showed acceptable storage stability. The compositions shown as containing colloidal particulate were not storage-stable unless the colloidal particulate was included as shown.

                  TABLE 70a                                                        ______________________________________                                         Concen-                                                                          trate % w/w                                                                  com-  Glypho-       Surfac-                                                                              Aero- Type of  Type of                                 position sate a.e. Oil tant sil 380 oil surfactant                           ______________________________________                                         70-01 31      1.0   10.0  1.25  Butyl stearate                                                                          steareth-20                             70-02 31 1.0 10.0 1.25 Butyl stearate oleth-20                                 70-03 31 1.0 10.0 1.25 Butyl stearate steareth-30                              70-04 31  10.0 1.25 none steareth-30                                         ______________________________________                                    

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti, ABUTH) and Japanese millet (Echinochloa crus-galli, ECHCF) plants were grown and treated by the standard procedures given above. Treatments were applied at four different hours of the day. Applications of spray compositions were made 16 days after planting ABUTH and ECHCF, and evaluation of herbicidal inhibition was done 22 days after application.

Formulation J was applied as comparative treatments. Results, averaged for all replicates of each treatment, are shown in Table 70b.

                  TABLE 70b                                                        ______________________________________                                         Concentrate                                                                             Hour when Glyphosate rate                                                                           % Inhibition                                     composition                                                                             applied   g a.e./ha  ABUTH   ECHCF                                    ______________________________________                                         Formulation J                                                                           1000      100        5       33                                           200 42 75                                                                      300 67 83                                                                      400 77 93                                                                    70-01 1000 100 7 33                                                              200 40 70                                                                      300 50 82                                                                      400 78 91                                                                    70-02 1000 100 18 33                                                             200 37 73                                                                      300 48 91                                                                      400 80 92                                                                    70-03 1000 100 30 33                                                             200 40 75                                                                      300 82 85                                                                      400 83 80                                                                    70-04 1000 100 30 30                                                             200 43 78                                                                      300 78 92                                                                      400 93 95                                                                    Formulation J 1200 100 5 38                                                      200 35 87                                                                      300 53 96                                                                      400 88 99                                                                    70-01 1200 100 10 30                                                             200 47 91                                                                      300 70 89                                                                      400 78 97                                                                    70-02 1200 100 5 37                                                              200 40 75                                                                      300 48 87                                                                      400 70 94                                                                    70-03 1200 100 20 37                                                             200 50 82                                                                      300 78 98                                                                      400 83 97                                                                    70-04 1200 100 33 33                                                             200 45 93                                                                      300 75 98                                                                      400 95 100                                                                   Formulation J 1400 100 15 40                                                     200 30 90                                                                      300 55 100                                                                     400 80 100                                                                   70-01 1400 100 17 40                                                             200 45 70                                                                      300 75 97                                                                      400 80 98                                                                    70-02 1400 100 17 47                                                             200 35 83                                                                      300 67 97                                                                      400 63 97                                                                    70-03 1400 100 30 40                                                             200 63 80                                                                      300 77 97                                                                      400 78 100                                                                   70-04 1400 100 23 40                                                             200 45 87                                                                      300 73 100                                                                     400 78 100                                                                   Formulation J 1600 100 10 37                                                     200 32 83                                                                      300 52 97                                                                      400 75 98                                                                    70-01 1600 100 27 43                                                             200 40 89                                                                      300 77 99                                                                      400 95 99                                                                    70-02 1600 100 20 53                                                             200 40 95                                                                      300 53 98                                                                      400 80 98                                                                    70-03 1600 100 27 60                                                             200 60 93                                                                      300 78 97                                                                      400 96 100                                                                   70-04 1600 100 15 37                                                             200 43 83                                                                      300 67 97                                                                      400 78 96                                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Composition 70-03 illustrates the consistency of high-level performance obtainable with, in this case, steareth-30 at an approximately 1:3 weight/weight ratio to glyphosate a.e., together with a small amount of butyl stearate and Aerosil 380. An average of percent inhibition of ABUTH across all four glyphosate rates shows the following comparison of 70-03 with Formulation J, applied at four different hours of the day:

    ______________________________________                                         Hour       Formulation J                                                                             Composition 70-03                                        ______________________________________                                         1000       48         59                                                         1200 45 58                                                                     1400 48 62                                                                     1600 42 65                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The preceding description of specific embodiments of the present invention is not intended to be a complete list of every possible embodiment of the invention. Persons skilled in this field will recognize that modifications can be made to the specific embodiments described here that would be within the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant treatment composition comprising:(a) an exogenous chemical; (b) in a weight ratio of about 1:3 to about 1:100 to the exogenous chemical, a first excipient substance which is a compound or mixture of compounds having the formula:

    R.sup.14 --CO--A--R.sup.15

wherein R¹⁴ is a hydrocarbyl group having about 5 to about 21 carbon atoms, R¹⁵ is a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, the total number of carbon atoms in R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ is about 11 to about 27, and A is O or NH; and (c) a second excipient substance which is an alkylether surfactant or mixture of such surfactants having the formula:

    R.sup.12 --O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n (CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O).sub.m --R.sup.13

wherein R¹² is an alkyl or alkenyl group having about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, n is an average number of about 15 to about 100, m is an average number of 0 to about 5 and R¹³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the weight/weight ratio of second excipient substance to the exogenous chemical is from about 1:3 to about 1:100.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein R¹⁴ is saturated in from about 40 to 100 percent by weight of all compounds having the stated formula present in the composition.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein R¹⁴ has about 11 to about 21 carbon atoms, R¹⁵ has 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and A is O.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first excipient substance is a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester of a C₁₂₋₁₈ fatty acid.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first excipient substance is a C₁₋₄ alkyl ester of a C₁₂₋₁₈ saturated fatty acid.
 7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first excipient substance is a propyl, isopropyl or butyl ester of a C₁₂₋₁₈ fatty acid.
 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first excipient substance is butyl stearate.
 9. The composition of claim 1, further comprising water in an amount effective to make the composition a dilute aqueous composition ready for application to foliage of a plant.
 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the exogenous chemical is a foliar-applied exogenous chemical.
 11. The composition of claim 10 wherein the exogenous chemical is a pesticide, gametocide or plant growth regulator.
 12. The composition of claim 11 wherein the exogenous chemical is a herbicide, nematicide or plant growth regulator.
 13. The composition of claim 12 wherein the exogenous chemical is a herbicide.
 14. The composition of claim 13 wherein the herbicide is selected from the group consisting of acetanilides, bipyridyls, cyclohexenones, dinitroanilines, diphenylethers, fatty acids, hydroxybenzonitriles, imidazolinones, phenoxies, phenoxypropionates, substituted ureas, sulfonylureas, thiocarbamates and triazines.
 15. The composition of claim 13 wherein the herbicide is selected from the group consisting of acetochlor, alachlor, metolachlor, aminotriazole, asulam, bentazon, bialaphos, diquat, paraquat, bromacil, clethodim, sethoxydim, dicamba, diflufenican, pendimethalin, acifluorfen, C₉₋₁₀ fatty acids, fomesafen, oxyfluorfen, fosamine, flupoxam, glufosinate, glyphosate, bromoxynil, imazaquin, imazethapyr, isoxaben, norflurazon, 2,4-D, diclofop, fluazifop, quizalofop, picloram, propanil, fluometuron, isoproturon, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, primisulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, triallate, atrazine, metribuzin, triclopyr and herbicidal derivatives thereof.
 16. The composition of claim 15 wherein the herbicide is glyphosate or a herbicidal derivative thereof.
 17. The composition of claim 16 wherein the herbicide is glyphosate in its acid form.
 18. The composition of claim 12 wherein the exogenous chemical is water-soluble.
 19. The composition of claim 18 wherein the exogenous chemical is a salt having an anion portion and a cation portion.
 20. The composition of claim 19 wherein at least one of said anion and cation portions is biologically active and has a molecular weight of less than about
 300. 21. The composition of claim 20 wherein the exogenous chemical is paraquat or diquat.
 22. The composition of claim 20 wherein the exogenous chemical exhibits systemic biological activity in the plant.
 23. The composition of claim 22 wherein the exogenous chemical has one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of amine, amide, carboxylate, phosphonate and phosphinate groups.
 24. The composition of claim 23 wherein the exogenous chemical is a salt of 3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenoic acid or of N-(3,4,4-trifluoro-1-oxo-3-butenyl)glycine that exhibits nematicidal activity.
 25. The composition of claim 23 wherein the exogenous chemical is a herbicidal or plant growth regulating compound having at least one of each of amine, carboxylate and either phosphonate or phosphinate functional groups.
 26. The composition of claim 25 wherein the herbicidal or plant growth regulating compound is a salt of glufosinate.
 27. The composition of claim 26 wherein the salt of glufosinate is the ammonium salt.
 28. The composition of claim 25 wherein the herbicidal or plant growth regulating compound is a salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine.
 29. The composition of claim 28 wherein the salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-C₁₋₄ -alkylammonium, mono-, di- and tri-C₁₋₄ -alkanolammonium, mono-, di- and tri-C₁₋₄ -alkylsulfonium and sulfoxonium salts.
 30. The composition of claim 29 wherein the salt of N-phosphonomethylglycine is the ammonium, monoisopropylammonium or trimethylsulfonium salt.
 31. The composition of claim 1, wherein m is 0 and R¹³ is hydrogen.
 32. The composition of claim 1, wherein n is from about 20 to about
 40. 33. The composition of claim 1, wherein R¹² is a saturated straight-chain alkyl group.
 34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the alkylether is a cetyl or stearyl ether or mixture thereof.
 35. A herbicidal composition that comprises:(a) N-phosphonomethylglycine or a herbicidal derivative thereof, (b) butyl stearate, and (c) an alkylether surfactant or mixture of such surfactants having the formula

    R.sup.12 --O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n (CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O).sub.m --R.sup.13

wherein R¹² is an alkyl or alkenyl group having about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, n is an average number of about 10 to about 100, m is an average number of 0 to about 5 and R¹³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 36. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a shelf-stable concentrate composition comprising the exogenous chemical in an amount of about 15 to about 90 percent by weight.
 37. The composition of claim 36, wherein the composition is a solid composition comprising the exogenous chemical substance in an amount of about 30 to about 90 percent by weight.
 38. The composition of claim 37, wherein the composition is a water-soluble or water-dispersible granular formulation.
 39. The composition of claim 36, further comprising a liquid diluent, and wherein the composition comprises the exogenous chemical substance in an amount of about 15 to about 60 percent by weight.
 40. The composition of claim 39 wherein the exogenous chemical substance is water-soluble and is present in an aqueous phase of the composition in an amount of about 15 to about 45 percent by weight of the composition.
 41. The composition of claim 40, wherein the composition is an emulsion having an oil phase and the first excipient substance is present predominantly in the oil phase.
 42. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is an oil-in-water emulsion.
 43. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is a water-in-oil emulsion.
 44. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is a water-in-oil-in-water multiple emulsion.
 45. The composition of claim 41, further comprising a solid inorganic particulate colloidal material.
 46. The composition of claim 45, wherein the colloidal material comprises particles having an average surface area of about 50 to about 400 m² /g.
 47. The composition of claim 45, wherein the colloidal material comprises particles having an average surface area of about 180 to about 400 m² /g.
 48. The composition of claim 45, wherein the colloidal material comprises particles of an inorganic oxide selected from the oxides of silicon, aluminum and titanium.
 49. A plant treatment method, comprising contacting foliage of a plant with a biologically effective amount of a composition according to any of claims 1 to
 35. 50. A plant treatment method, comprising the steps of:(a) contacting foliage of a plant with a biologically effective amount of an exogenous chemical, and (b) contacting the same foliage with an aqueous composition that comprises (i) a first excipient substance which is a compound or mixture of compounds having the formula:

    R.sup.14 --CO--A--R.sup.15

wherein R¹⁴ is a hydrocarbyl group having about 5 to about 21 carbon atoms, R¹⁵ is a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to about 14 carbon atoms, the total number of carbon atoms in R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ is about 11 to about 27, and A is O or NH; and (ii) a second excipient substance which is an alkylether surfactant or mixture of such surfactants having the formula:

    R.sup.12 --O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n (CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O).sub.m --R.sup.13

wherein R¹² is an alkyl or alkenyl group having about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms, n is an average number of about 15 to about 100, m is an average number of 0 to about 5 and R¹³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; wherein the first excipient substance is applied in a weight ratio to the exogenous chemical of about 1:3 to about 1:100; and wherein step (b) occurs simultaneously with or within about 96 hours before or after step (a). 